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While anti-war and pro-Palestine protests heat up across university campuses around the world. At this year’s Eurovision Song Contest which takes place in the Swedish city of Malmö on Saturday, the Palestinian flag will be notably absent as boycott campaigns swirl over Israel’s participation. This ARTE Europe Weekly, we look at how camp culture and geopolitics have always gone hand-in-hand at Eurovision.

ARTE Europe Weekly

The globally televised song contest Eurovision insists it’s not political. But the most recent chapter in a decades-long history of political tension behind the event’s glitzy backdrop suggests a different story.

Israel’s war on Gaza takes centre stage at Eurovision

The principle of freedom of movement between member states is enshrined in European Union law, but are border controls making a comeback within the bloc? That seems to be the case, at least in practice, in some parts of the continent. Eight member states have reintroduced border checks, citing an increase in the number of migrants and the threat of terrorism. In Croatia, the issue of security and migration is a major focus of campaigns ahead of the European elections.

Croatia joined the EU's Schengen zone on 1 January, 2023, but it is still carrying out border controls.

Croatia: Re-establishing borders

Slovak prime minister Robert Fico, a Russia-friendly populist, has been back in power since October last year He was forced to step down as PM in 2018 after widespread protests at the murder of journalist Ján Kuciak, who had been investigating corruption in the country. Over the last five months, the government has abolished anti-corruption measures – perhaps unsurprising considering several of Fico's associates were under investigation.

Six years after the murder of journalist Ján Kuciak, Slovakia's fight against corruption is not looking good.

Slovakia: The fight against corruption in jeopardy

Is it possible to eradicate smoking from society? As the UK takes steps to relegate smoking to the ash heap of history with a potential generational smoking ban, we look at changing circumstances though out the continent.

The UK wants to stub out smoking with a ban on cigarette sales for people born after 2009. But could a smoke-free Europe follow ? 

A War On Smoking

For the first time in Northern Ireland's history, the first minister is from the Irish nationalist Sinn Féin party. On taking office, Michelle O’Neill said that a referendum on whether Northern Ireland should remain part of the United Kingdom or be reunited with the Republic of Ireland could be on the cards within a decade. But will asking this question reopen old wounds, in a place scarred by violence? And how do young people in Northern Ireland see their future? 

Ireland or the UK? Northern Ireland’s new first minister wants to hold a referendum on this contentious issue.

Northern Ireland: a referendum on reunification?

Every year, dozens of migrants trying to reach the European Union drown in the cold waters of the Drina river between Serbia and Bosnia. They are buried anonymously in nearby cemeteries, where volunteers try to give them a dignified burial and trace their missing relatives.

Dozens of migrants drown every year in the freezing waters of the Drina river between Serbia and Bosnia.

The Balkan route: the migrants lost to the Drina river

For centuries, they have dotted the landscapes of Andalusia. Acequias are irrigation canals dug by the Moors throughout southern Spain in the 9th century. Forgotten in the wake of intensive agriculture, they are now being rediscovered and restored. At a time of increasing drought in the region, they could be the solution to combatting the consequences of climate change.

In the face of drought, the southern Spanish region of Andalusia is rediscovering its ancient canals.

Drought: Andalusia rediscovers its ancient canals

In Cyprus, as elsewhere across Europe, the far right has the wind in its sails. Here, it is embodied by the ELAM party, an offshoot of the Greek far-right party Golden Dawn. It is heading towards becoming the third-largest political force in the country, not least because the issue of uncontrolled immigration is one of increasing concern to voters.

According to polls, the far-right ELAM party could become Cyprus’s third largest in the European elections.

Cyprus: the breakthrough of the far right

The Hospitallers is a Ukrainian voluntary organisation made up of civilian paramedics. This small band of volunteers are trained on the job in war medicine, and for the last two years have risked their own lives to evacuate and treat wounded soldiers at the front line.

This battalion of volunteers treats the wounded at the front in Ukraine – all at the risk of their own lives.

Ukraine: The Hospitallers volunteers saving lives.

A large majority of MEPs have backed a text aimed at increasing transparency in political advertising on social media. Digital platforms will now have to clearly label political content and identify its origin. The aim is to combat foreign interference in elections and fight disinformation more effectively.

Social media platforms will now have to clearly label politically motivated content and identify its origin.

Politics and society
ARTE Journal

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Israel’s war on Gaza takes centre stage at Eurovision

ARTE Europe Weekly

Croatia: Re-establishing borders

Slovakia: The fight against corruption in jeopardy

A War On Smoking

ARTE Europe Weekly

Northern Ireland: a referendum on reunification?

The Balkan route: the migrants lost to the Drina river

Drought: Andalusia rediscovers its ancient canals

Cyprus: the breakthrough of the far right

Ukraine: The Hospitallers volunteers saving lives.

Stricter rules for political advertising

Politics and societyARTE Journal

All videos

Israel’s war on Gaza takes centre stage at Eurovision

ARTE Europe Weekly

Croatia: Re-establishing borders

Slovakia: The fight against corruption in jeopardy

A War On Smoking

ARTE Europe Weekly

Northern Ireland: a referendum on reunification?

The Balkan route: the migrants lost to the Drina river

Drought: Andalusia rediscovers its ancient canals

Cyprus: the breakthrough of the far right

Ukraine: The Hospitallers volunteers saving lives.

Stricter rules for political advertising

Politics and society
ARTE Journal