Europe’s Future Will Not Be Decided in Brussels Alone

Europe’s political future is being debated alongside brass bands, traditional dress and riflemen at the Tirol Day of the European Forum Alpbach.

The juxtaposition raises a central question for the conference’s second week: should more power be concentrated in Brussels, or should it remain with villages, municipalities and cities across Europe? The discussion also asks whether the European Union gives enough weight to regional customs and traditions.

The podcast meets the Tyrolean musician Nenda, who takes a critical view of the region’s sense of belonging, and asks a rifleman what it takes to join the tradition. The answer, the program notes, is that owning a rifle alone is not enough.

The series then turns to European politics. Kata Tüttő, president of the European Committee of the Regions, discusses the role of cities and regions, the contested EU budget and what Europe might learn from Hungary’s democratic development.

“What Is Important in Alpbach” is Die Presse’s audio journal from the congress. The publication has covered the European Forum Alpbach each year since 2020. The five-part podcast began on Aug. 30, 2026, and is available through Die Presse’s website and app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other podcast platforms.