What drives people in Europe? How do Europeans lead their lives? What are their views, hopes and fears? Fokus Europa provides the answers: up close, exciting and balanced.
http://dw.com/focusoneurope?maca=en-podcast_european-journal-2940-xml-mrss
Gesamtlänge aller Episoden: 4 days 1 hour 17 minutes
Surveys show Merkel in the lead
Challenger Martin Schulz seeks to persuade undecided voters in Germany. Surveys show the Social Democrats clearly trailing behind Angela Merkel, the Christian Democrat and Christian Social Union candidate running for her 4th term.
Election campaign on the North Sea coast
The Hallig islands Langeness and Oland off of North Sea coast are among Germany’s smallest electoral districts. Fewer than 100 eligible voters live there, and you’ll find no campaign posters.
French competition for "Made in Germany"
French firms are pinning high hopes on President Macron’s reforms. Germany’s powerful economy is tough competition; they complain about its dominance and hope that France’s promised economic reforms will improve their position.
Merkel or Schulz – whom does the EU prefer?
Germany has great influence in the EU, so European Union politicians are watching the German elections in suspense. They are familiar with Martin Schulz – he was the president of the EU parliament for a long time. But Merkel enjoys international respect.
Britons in France and Brexit
Since the 1960s, many Britons have moved to southwestern France, especially the Dordogne. But Brexit could throw a wrench in the works: as non-EU-citizens, they would face new restrictions.
Homosexuals face discrimination in Poland
Since the conservative Law and Justice Party came to power in Poland, hostility toward homosexuals has been growing. Same-sex couples face discrimination. They may not marry in Poland, so many go abroad to tie the knot.
Romania: Fipronil - the hidden threat
This past spring, 1400 bee colonies died in the Romanian village of Puiesti after a pest controller sprayed an insecticide that contains fipronil, a known cause of colony collapse disorder. Now the destitute beekeepers are fighting for compensation.
Germany/Turkey: Duel over dual citizenship
In 2014, Germany scrapped a law that required German-born teenagers with Turkish roots to choose whether they wanted German or Turkish citizenship. Some conservative politicians are still outraged by the decision.
Germany: A Syrian on the trail of IS
Masoud Aqil spent eight months as a prisoner of the so-called "Islamic State" in Syria. He was held in the terrorists' torture chambers, but was able to escape. Now he's helping German investigators.
Christians facing persecution in Turkey
The Turkish directorate of religious affairs is set to seize over 50 churches, monasteries and cemeteries belonging to the Christian Syriac community in southeastern Turkey.