In this edition of Europe Rendezvous, we travel to Italy, one of the European Union's founding members, to examine how the country's democratic institutions have come under increasing pressure. It may be the season of la dolce vita, but life has been far from sweet for migrants, women seeking abortions in parts of Italy, and journalists facing growing political pressure on the media. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni leads a coalition of conservatives and the far right, and as the 2027 elections approach, her government has been accused of seeking greater influence over the judiciary, the media and the electoral system.

In this edition of Europe Rendezvous, we travel to Italy, one of the European Union's founding members, to examine how the country's democratic institutions have come under increasing pressure. It may be the season of la dolce vita, but life has been far from sweet for migrants, women seeking abortions in parts of Italy, and journalists facing growing political pressure on the media. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni leads a coalition of conservatives and the far right, and as the 2027 elections approach, her government has been accused of seeking greater influence over the judiciary, the media and the electoral system.

You might know that the European Parliament is the only directly elected institution in the EU, and that it plays a crucial role as a co-legislator with the EU Council. But what does an MEP actually do? We meet three Belgian MEPs from contrasting political ideologies and parties. Through them, we explore some of the key European issues that they are working on.

It's one of the EU's most important instruments, but one of the least talked-about ones: cohesion policy aims to reduce disparities between Europe's regions, and make sure no part of Europe is left behind. We commissioned a video competition, inviting young people from high schools, universities and journalism schools to take part.

It's no secret that the EU is caught in a maelstrom of disinformation aimed at undermining its credibility. In response, FRANCE 24 commissioned a video competition, inviting high school pupils, university students and journalism school students to take part.

In this two-part show, Armen Georgian takes viewers on a journey across the European Union, exploring mobility and transport projects funded by the EU’s cohesion policy. In the 2021-2027 budget, the EU has been using its cohesion funds to invest €63.2 billion in transport schemes. From France to Austria, via Poland and Hungary, Armen takes a whistle-stop tour using seven different means of transport: train, plane, metro, tram, bicycle, scooter, and car.

In this second part of Europe Rendezvous, Armen Georgian is in Hungary and Austria on his whistle-stop journey across the EU, exploring mobility and transport projects funded by the EU's cohesion policy. 

France is a poor performer when it comes to cohesion in Europe and is marked by growing regional inequalities, despite being allocated a whopping €18 billion in EU cohesion funding for 2021-2027. Numerous regions risk falling into a "development trap": after a period of growth, they stagnate or even decline, having invested in sectors with little long-term potential. In this first part of the show examining EU cohesion policy, we're on the French island of Corsica.

France is a poor performer when it comes to cohesion in Europe and is marked by growing regional inequalities, despite being allocated a whopping €18 billion in EU cohesion funding for 2021-2027. Numerous regions risk falling into a "development trap": after a period of growth, they stagnate or even decline, having invested in sectors with little long-term potential. In this second part of the show examing EU cohesion policy, we're in the central French department of the Creuse.

FRANCE 24 heads north to the kingdom of Denmark. The Scandinavian country has been in the spotlight this year, holding the rotating presidency of the European Council from July to December and pushing forward its priorities such as migration and the energy transition – topics that we dive into in this show. In this second part of the programme, our focus is on Denmark's economy.

FRANCE 24 heads north to the kingdom of Denmark. The Scandinavian country has been in the spotlight this year, holding the rotating presidency of the European Council from July to December and pushing forward its priorities such as migration and the energy transition – topics that we dive into in this show. In this first part of the programme, our focus is on defence and migration.