February 26, 2019
'Germany has a long history of hating us': The appeal of Erdoğan
More Turks live in Germany than any other country outside Turkey, and they are often blamed for backing President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his increasingly authoritarian regime. But did the Turkish diaspora really vote in droves to give him sweeping powers? Why would a model of European democracy support a power grab abroad? Clare and Rebecca talk to journalists Isil Nergiz and Burçin Tetik about racism against Turks in Germany, and why some see the Turkish leader as their savior.
January 28, 2019
Merkel’s last stand: What comes after the end of an era?
Angela Merkel is on her way out after more than thirteen years as chancellor. She’s been praised as a pragmatist and defender of liberal democracy in increasingly turbulent times, but many Germans are ready for something new. Who could possibly fill her shoes? Clare and Rebecca ask supporters of her CDU party about Merkel’s legacy and find out from Boris Vormann, professor of politics at Bard College Berlin, what decades of “politics of no alternatives” have meant for the rise of fringe movements.
January 14, 2019
The Brexit Debacle: Record Number of ‘Brefugees’ Take German Citizenship
Brexit is less than three months away, and the United Kingdom looks like it could go crashing out of the European Union without a deal on March 29. The British parliament is voting this week on whether to accept an agreement with the EU that makes almost nobody happy. The alternative could be total chaos. With the clock ticking, a record number of Brits are becoming German citizens to keep their European status. Clare and Rebecca talk to two who took the plunge and find out how we got here from Anand Menon, Professor of European Politics and Foreign Affairs at King's College London.
December 14, 2017
Christmas in Europe: The good, the bad, and the ugly
Clare and Rebecca visit one of Europe’s famous markets for mulled wine and Christmas spirit. But some of the continent’s traditions aren’t such shining examples of good will to mankind. Half-goat monsters, defecating cartoon logs, and Dutchies wearing black face are also part of the tradition.
November 22, 2017
#UsToo: No place is safe
Sexual harassment in the workplace is nothing new. So why is everyone so surprised by the #MeToomovement in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal? Clare Richardson and Rebecca Ritters talk to WIRED editor and feminist journalist Chris Köver about the hashtag’s German predecessor and whether Europe lives up to its egalitarian reputation when it comes to women's rights.
November 1, 2017
Murder on Malta – Journalist’s assassination exposes trouble in paradise
The car-bomb attack on investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia shines a spotlight on corruption in a European Union member state. Clare Richardson and Rebecca Ritters talk to a local journalist about the case that has shocked the nation. We also check in on how pro-independence Catalans are feeling after last week’s tumult.
October 16, 2017
Going it Alonia – Catalan independence movement riles Spain
Is Catalonia about to become its own country? Or will the semi-autonomous region pay the price for challenging Madrid by holding an “illegal” referendum? Clare Richardson and Rebecca Ritters talk to pro-independence Catalans and Tània Verge, associate professor of political science at the University Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, to find out why Spain is facing its worst political crisis in decades.
September 19, 2017
Germany's snoozer election gets a wake-up call
Germany prepares to vote for Merkel at the helm – again. But for the first time since World War II, a far-right group is making its Bundestag debut, breaking taboos with its nationalist agenda and anti-immigration platform. Clare Richardson and Rebecca Ritters talk to Berlin-based journalist Sumi Somaskanda to understand how this election will shake up German politics. And they unwrap key voter issues with Janelle Dumalaon and Rick Noack. Tune in for everything you could possibly want to know about the German elections... and more.
August 31, 2017
It's the vibe, man – Backlash against terrible tourists in Europe’s hotspots
As European cities like Venice and Barcelona stage demonstrations against surging numbers of tourists, Clare Richardson and Rebecca Ritters discuss how to make popular destinations a nice place for residents and visitors to co-exist. The summer-vacation edition of Europe to Date looks at what kind of tourist behavior has locals up in arms, and gets recommendations from the UN World Tourism Organization’s secretary general, Taleb Rifai.
August 16, 201
The new Cold War? How Trump is making Europe sweat
On the 56th anniversary of the division of Berlin into East and West, Clare Richardson and Rebecca Ritters look at the 21st century’s potential new Cold War. We talk to Foreign Policy’s Moscow correspondent, Amie Ferris-Rotman, to find out how Europe is stuck in the middle between the West and Russia, and why the Trump administration is making Europe sweat.
August 16, 2017
The summer of love – Germany gets with the times on marriage equality
If you blinked, you might have missed major developments for gay rights across the continent over the past few months. Clare Richardson and Rebecca Ritters talk to the man whose spur-of-the-moment question kicked off the mad scramble to legalize gay marriage in Germany. But why did Chancellor Merkel vote against it? We’ll discuss her motivations and hear from Human Rights Watch about places where equal rights in Europe are still on ice.s
July 20, 2017
'Three humiliations' – Which will Britain choose in its EU divorce?
Europe to Date talks to British political blogger Jon Worth one year after Britain's vote to leave the EU to find out where negotiations stand now.
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