The European Commission has officially proposed in a very confusing manner an almost €2 trillion budget for the 2028–2034 period. The biggest budget, in Ursula von der Leyen’s words, to be spent “for a new era.”

Von der Leyen says this budget will make the EU’s cash pot “larger, smarter and sharper.” But critics warn it may just end up being leaner, meaner, and far more politically painful than she anticipates. So, what are the first reactions, and who wins and loses with the new MFF?

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This afternoon, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to present a draft proposal for the European Union’s next seven-year budget, officially called the Multiannual Financial Framework, or MFF.

The current MFF, running from 2021 to 2027, stands at just over €1.2 trillion. But according to a leaked draft, the next proposal, covering 2028 to 2034, could reach €1.717 trillion, or 1.23% of the EU’s gross national income. That’s up from about 1.1% now. With political divides deepening and resources stretched thin, can this budget still deliver on Europe’s promises?

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Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.

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Today, EU foreign ministers are gathering in Brussels for their final meeting before the summer recess. The main item on the agenda is of course the EU’s association agreement with Israel, and whether Israel is living up to its human rights obligations under that deal.

Following weeks of mounting pressure over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has presented a list of options that range from suspending trade with Israel to halting student exchanges. All because an EU review found Israel falling short of the human rights standards required by the agreement, while the latest reports are showing attacks on civilians at aid distribution centres. So, will the EU take concrete action under Article 2 of the agreement, or settle for monitoring Israel’s promises on humanitarian aid?

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Before the weekend Donald Trump sent a letter to the European Commission announcing his plans to slap a 30% tariff on nearly all EU imports, starting August 1st.

This caught Brussels off guard. An agreement was already on the table, one that included a painful, but tolerable, 10% base tariff. Most EU member states were willing to swallow that to avoid worse. But the 30% tariff had the European Commission rushing for a response. So, what’s von der Leyen’s plan?

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In episode 1 of The Right Kind of Family, reporters Claudia Torrisi, Elsa Cabria, Francesca Berardi and Lili Rutai are in Madrid, in the Spanish Senate. They follow the works of the "VI Transatlantic Summit for Freedom and the Culture of Life", a closed session “in defence of life and the natural family.” The meeting serves also as the sixth international gathering of the Political Network for Values, a network established in 2014 in a room at the UN headquarters, in New York.

The reporters follow the debates and key note speeches of the participants, uncovering the international reach of this network as well as its rhetoric and political ambitions.

Far from being a EU-focused network, the Political Network for Values has strong US- and Latin Amrican-connections. However, one specific European country appears to play a leading role.

The Right Kind of Family is a podcast co-produced by El País Audio, Chora Media, Europod, and 444.It was created within the framework of the WePod project, co-funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Commission.

The English version is written and narrated by Lili Rutai

Research and fieldwork: Francesca Berardi, Claudia Torrisi, Lili Rutai, Elsa Cabria and Manuel Tomillo

Script in original language: Francesca Berardi, Claudia Torrisi, Lili Rutai, Elsa Cabria.

Editing of scripts: Alexander Damiano Ricci, Ana Ribera and Sabrina Tinelli

Original sound identity: Daniel Gutierrez Ortega and Mattia Liciotti, based on ‘The Devil You Know’ soundtrack, licensed by Machiavelli Music.

Additional musical curation, editing and sound design: Jeremy Bocquet.

Original graphic design: Ruth Benito and Rebecca Grassi

Graphic design adaptation for the English version: Watermelon collective

Executive production: Ana Ribera

Editorial coordination and production: Alexander Damiano Ricci

Co-funded by the European Union. However, the views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

This podcast is co-produced by Europod.

Subscribe to Europod • English for even more podcasts, and follow us on Linkedin and Instagram.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"The Right Kind of Family" is a podcast co-produced by El País Audio, Chora Media, Europod, and 444.It was created within the framework of the WePod project, co-funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Commission.

The English version is written and narrated by Lili Rutai

Research and fieldwork: Francesca Berardi, Claudia Torrisi, Lili Rutai, Elsa Cabria and Manuel Tomillo

Script in original language: Francesca Berardi, Claudia Torrisi, Lili Rutai, Elsa Cabria.

Editing of scripts: Alexander Damiano Ricci, Ana Ribera and Sabrina Tinelli

Original sound identity: Daniel Gutierrez Ortega and Mattia Liciotti, based on ‘The Devil You Know’ soundtrack, licensed by Machiavelli Music.

Additional musical curation, editing and sound design: Jeremy Bocquet.

Original graphic design: Ruth Benito and Rebecca Grassi

Graphic design adaptation for the English version: Watermelon collective

Executive production: Ana Ribera

Editorial coordination and production: Alexander Damiano Ricci

Co-funded by the European Union. However, the views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

This podcast is co-produced by Europod.

Subscribe to Europod • English for even more podcasts, and follow us on Linkedin and Instagram.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Greece introduced today, July 11th, a controversial emergency law, suspending the registration of asylum applications for three months for people arriving by sea from North Africa.

The Greek government defends the new law as a matter of national urgency. Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis cited a 350% increase in arrivals, claiming that two-thirds of those entering the country do not qualify for humanitarian protection. The newly appointed Migration Minister, Thanos Plevris, who assumed office following the OPEKEPE corruption scandal and is known for his far-right stance within the New Democracy party, took an even harder line, describing the situation as a "mass invasion" and declaring: "You are not welcome. Either you leave or you will be imprisoned."

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A senior EU official has been lobbying against sanctions on Israel, using claims of antisemitism and arguments that critics say cross the line from political advocacy into disinformation.

According to a document brought to light by the EUobserver Katharina von Schnurbein, the European Commission's Coordinator on Combating Antisemitism, made controversial remarks during a meeting with EU ambassadors in Tel Aviv on May 29.

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