The Parliament Magazine’s top six interviews of 2021
27 Dec EU Institutions

The Parliament Magazine’s top six interviews of 2021

As 2021 comes to an end, here’s a chance to catch up on some of our favourite MEP interviews of this year
by The Parliament Magazine
Civil society’s crucial role in defending European democracy
07 Dec Justice
Civil society’s crucial role in defending European democracy
Valérie Hayer interview: Own resources champion
04 Jan EU Institutions
Valérie Hayer interview: Own resources champion
Working together for a just transition
02 Dec
Working together for a just transition
5 Questions with... Tsvetelina Penkova
13 Jun EU Institutions
5 Questions with... Tsvetelina Penkova
Tsvetelina Penkova (BG, S&D) is a member of Parliament’s CONT, ITRE & REGI committees and its delegation to Serbia.
5 Questions with... Colm Markey
08 Jun EU Institutions
5 Questions with... Colm Markey
Nathalie Loiseau interview: Striving for a safer Europe
08 Jun Security & Defence
Nathalie Loiseau interview: Striving for a safer Europe
The Chair of Parliament’s SEDE Committee, Nathalie Loiseau, talks to Rajnish Singh about the increasing security threats to Europe, the rise of China, and “disturbing” tensions between the EU and the UK.
How do we solve the rare disease crisis? In Conversation With…
27 May Tech & Research
How do we solve the rare disease crisis?
Pfizer often made the headlines over the past year after mobilising their scientific expertise and manufacturing capabilities to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Reda Guiha, Regional President for Rare Disease at Pfizer, argues that the same sense of urgency and public-private sector collaboration that brought vaccines to patients within a year should be applied to other areas of critical unmet medical need, such as rare disease.
5 Questions with... Ciarán Cuffe
26 May EU Institutions
5 Questions with... Ciarán Cuffe
Ciarán Cuffe (IE, Greens/EFA) is a member of Parliament’s ITRE and TRAN committees and delegations to Albania and the United States.
Tilly Metz interview: Animal Farm 2.0
26 May Agriculture & Food
Tilly Metz interview: Animal Farm 2.0
A long-time advocate for animal rights, Tilly Metz is working to create a Europe that focuses on less-but-better animal farming and one that faces up to the climate crisis while factoring in sustainability. Lorna Hutchinson reports.
5 Questions with... David Casa
19 May EU Institutions
5 Questions with... David Casa
David Casa (MT, EPP) member of the Parliament’s ECON committee, and delegation to Turkey and the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly.
Pedro Silva Pereira interview: Constant Vigilance
13 May EU Institutions
Pedro Silva Pereira interview: Constant Vigilance
MEPs may have signed off on the new EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, but Pedro Silva Pereira tells Brian Johnson that the work on Brexit continues in ensuring full compliance with the agreed commitments, especially those on citizens’ rights and the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Katalin Cseh interview: Generation Europe
27 Apr EU Institutions
Katalin Cseh interview: Generation Europe
Katalin Cseh was drawn to politics having witnessed the deterioration of rule of law in her native Hungary. She talks to Lorna Hutchinson about what it means to be European, the power of sanctions on China and that SofaGate incident.
Vlad Gheorghe interview: Talkin' 'bout my generation
06 Apr EU Institutions
Vlad Gheorghe interview: Talkin' 'bout my generation
Vlad Gheorghe was just a toddler when Romania’s 50-year experiment with Communism came crashing down in December 1989. He explains to Brian Johnson how the country’s integration back into the EU fold has been a major factor in shaping his politics and worldview.
Unlocking the benefits of digitalisation In Conversation With…
29 Mar Tech & Research
Unlocking the benefits of digitalisation
With digitalisation recently declared a trillion Euro opportunity for Europe, the time is now for reforms and targets, say Ben Wreschner, Chief Economist at Vodafone, and Dharmendra Kanani, Director and Chief Spokesperson at Friends of Europe.
5 Questions with... Alviina Alametsä
22 Mar EU Institutions
5 Questions with... Alviina Alametsä
Alviina Alametsä (FI,Greens/EFA) is a member of the Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee and Security and Defence Sub-Committee.
Entrevista a Jordi Cañas: Un instrumento de cambio
17 Mar International & Trade
Entrevista a Jordi Cañas: Un instrumento de cambio
Con el Acuerdo de Asociación UE-Mercosur acercándose a la línea de meta, el ponente del Parlamento Europeo, Jordi Cañas, explica a Ana Gallego por qué esta puede ser la última oportunidad para sellar un acuerdo con el bloque comercial sudamericano.
Jordi Cañas interview: An instrument for change
15 Mar International & Trade
Jordi Cañas interview: An instrument for change
With the EU-Mercosur Association Agreement approaching the finish line, Parliament’s rapporteur Jordi Cañas tells Ana Gallego why this may be the last chance to seal a deal with the South American trade bloc.
5 Questions with... Marc Botenga
05 Mar EU Institutions
5 Questions with... Marc Botenga
Marc Botenga (BE, GUE/NGL) is a member of Parliament’s Industry, Research and Energy Committee.
Frances Fitzgerald interview: Breaking down barriers
02 Mar Justice
Frances Fitzgerald interview: Breaking down barriers
A staunch defender of women’s rights, Frances Fitzgerald believes we are entering a new era of equality. She tells Lorna Hutchinson that despite recent setbacks, fresh momentum for change is building.
Why SESAR innovation is key to building back better In Conversation With…
02 Mar Mobility
Why SESAR innovation is key to building back better
We need to accelerate collaboration on innovation and the Digital European Sky if we want smarter and more sustainable aviation, say stakeholders Olivier Jankovec,
ACI EUROPE (Airports Council International), Thomas Reynaert, Airlines for Europe (A4E) Tanja Grobotek, Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO) Europe.
István Ujhelyi interview: Getting back on the rails
16 Feb Mobility
István Ujhelyi interview: Getting back on the rails
The Coronavirus-ravaged transport and tourism sectors have withstood a year of unprecedented setbacks, but István Ujhelyi is confident that the future will bring positive and sustainable change. Lorna Hutchinson reports.
Mary Wilson Interview: Star-struck Parliament
09 Feb Justice
Mary Wilson Interview: Star-struck Parliament
On the sad news of the passing of Motown music legend Mary Wilson, we are re-publishing an interview we did with her in the European Parliament almost exactly one year ago, in which she described what it was like taking on The Beatles, being a star in segregated America and how she was continuing to inspire positive change.
5 Questions with... Niels Fuglsang
05 Feb EU Institutions
5 Questions with... Niels Fuglsang
Niels Fuglsang (DK, S&D) is a member of Parliament‘s Industry, Research and Energy Committee and the Delegation to China.
EESC chief signals fresh start for ‘voice of EU civil society’
03 Feb EU Institutions
EESC chief signals fresh start for ‘voice of EU civil society’
The EESC is “more relevant than ever” at a time of growing populism and anti-EU rhetoric, says President Christa Schweng in an interview with Martin Banks.
Loucas Fourlas: An unbreakable promise
01 Feb
Loucas Fourlas: An unbreakable promise
Loucas Fourlas, Chair of the MEPs Against Cancer Interest Group, tells Jon Benton and Ana Gallego what drives him in his fight against cancer, his campaign to help those affected and of his own personal tragedy.
EU needs common strategy for COVID-19 vaccine roll-out
07 Jan Health
EU needs common strategy for COVID-19 vaccine roll-out
Romanian MEP Vlad Gheorghe argues that a common EU approach is the best way to ensure vaccines are delivered quickly and safely. Martin Banks reports.
Helena Dalli interview: Striving for a Union of Equality
21 Dec Justice
Helena Dalli interview: Striving for a Union of Equality
After the Coronavirus pandemic exposed many of the inequalities still besetting our world in the twenty-first century, European Commissioner for Equality Helena Dalli tells Lorna Hutchinson it’s time to double down on justice.