In this episode of The Lowdown, Máté Holler delves into Romania’s deepening political crisis, where a canceled election, far-right surges, and foreign interference have shaken the country’s democratic foundations. Sorin Ioniță, director of the Think Tank, Expert Forum, and a seasoned political commentator, joins to unpack the turmoil - from Kremlin-backed disinformation to unexpected influence from Washington. They explore Romania’s fragile political landscape, the rise of extremist candidates, and the stakes of the rescheduled May 2024 presidential election in a country at the crossroads of European security and democratic resilience.

In this episode of The Lowdown, Maria Borisenko, a Ukrainian activist and expert in analytics and advocacy, joins us to discuss Russia’s war against Ukraine and the rights of Ukrainians in Germany. Maria shares her firsthand experiences of the conflict, the resilience of the Ukrainian people, and the transformations shaping Ukraine’s fight for sovereignty. She explores the war’s impact on Europe, the role of international support, and the power of advocacy in securing Ukraine’s future.

In this episode of The Lowdown, Judith Offenberg interviews Sarah Sackman, MP for Finchley and Golders Green and Minister of State for Courts and Legal Services. Sarah reflects on Labour’s transformation under Keir Starmer, the fight against antisemitism, and how the party regained the trust of Jewish voters. They discuss the 2024 landslide victory, the government’s response to the Israel-Gaza conflict, and the steps being taken to create safer, more inclusive campuses for Jewish students.