Brussels Playbook Podcast

This week’s episode of EU Confidential is a show about nothing.As in: Brussels’ endless lame-duck inertia. Sure, there’s still lots of yadda yadda yadda, but no real action coming out of the EU institutions despite multiple global crises (leaders at this week’s EU summit discussed migration, sure, but left Brussels having taken no concrete decisions on how to tackle it).Host Sarah Wheaton dissects the reasons for the hold-up — and why it matters — with POLITICO’s Barbara Moens and Nick Vinocur, as well as with Aaron McLoughlin, a seasoned Brussels lobbyist with deep experience working in the Parliament and the Commission. Meanwhile, there’s lots happening in the U.S. ahead of the Nov. 5 presidential election. Earlier this week, POLITICO Live and the American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union hosted a debate about what candidates Kamala Harris or Donald Trump could mean for Europe. Facing off: former Republican Congressman Jack Kingston; Finnish MEP Aura Salla; and Bart M.J. Szewczyk, a former State Department official and Biden-Harris campaign insider. We bring you a juicy recap.Finally, our Berlaymont Who’s Who series looks at the unusual political trajectory of Belgium’s commissioner-designate, Hadja Lahbib, and her dual responsibility for crisis management and equality. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Buckle up. This week on the EU Confidential podcast, we’re talking cars. And a looming trade war.European Union countries are split over whether it’s a good idea to take on Beijing and use duties to hit the brakes on China’s booming (and heavily subsidized) electric car industry. At the same time, the EU is trying to shift to greener cars. Seems contradictory? It is. Abigaël Vasselier of the Mercator Institute for China Studies joins POLITICO’s Koen Verhelst and Jordyn Dahl to sort it all out, with host Sarah Wheaton. Next, POLITICO’s Max Griera brings us inside the dramatic confrontation at the European Parliament with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, along with highlights from his interview with Orbán’s upstart new challenger, Péter Magyar. Further reading: China’s hit at EU brandy sparks fear of all-out trade war, by Camille Gijs, Koen Verhelst and Judith Chetrit EU countries overcome German resistance to back duties on Chinese EVs – POLITICO, by Koen Verhelst and Hans von der BurchardA trip across Europe in an electric car, one charge at a time, by Jordyn Dahl Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s episode of EU Confidential, we tackle the complex forces shaping Europe’s future — where political shifts, migration and escalating conflict in neighboring regions are all colliding. As tensions in the Middle East intensify, POLITICO's Opinion Editor Jamie Dettmer reports from Tel Aviv, breaking down the situation on the ground and the prospect of an all-out war in the region.We then shift focus to Austria, where the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) secured a significant election victory on a “Fortress Austria” platform. Host Sarah Wheaton and Theresa Kuhn, professor of modern European history and politics at the University of Amsterdam, discuss what drove voters to the FPÖ and how Austria joins a growing bloc of European Union countries where far-right parties are reshaping the political landscape. What could this mean for Europe’s broader approach to migration?The episode also continues our "Berlaymont Who’s Who" miniseries, with Kathryn Carlson, our financial regulation reporter, introducing Magnus Brunner, Austria's former finance minister, who could soon become the EU’s next commissioner for migration.Plus, our NATO correspondent Stuart Lau sits down for an exclusive interview with former NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.Further reading: Israel sends troops into Lebanon — but its real target is Iran, by Jamie DettmerIsrael risks a long fight in Lebanon, by Jamie DettmerIsrael vows ‘consequences’ for Iran after missile barrage, by Jamie DettmerNATO’s Stoltenberg has parting words for Europe: Don’t fear Trump, work with him, by Stuart LauSorry, Mark Rutte, there’ll be no honeymoon at NATO, by Stuart Lau Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shares his pressing concerns about the four-month countdown until U.S. election dynamics shift. Journalist Veronika Melkozerova recounts her riveting encounter with Zelensky in Kyiv as he unveils his ambitious "Victory Plan." The duo discusses NATO support, Ukraine's aspirations for membership, and the geopolitical ramifications of military aid amid rising tensions with Russia. Together, they ponder the implications of U.S. political shifts on European security and defense, highlighting the urgency of diplomatic efforts.

Marion Solletty and Eddy Wax dive into the recent political shake-ups in the European Commission, including the drama surrounding Thierry Breton's departure. They analyze the power dynamics among EU leaders, especially with Ursula von der Leyen's new team. The conversation heats up with a discussion on the escalating migration crisis, highlighting Germany's tightening border checks and the influence of far-right politics. Expect insights on Kaja Kallas, the new key diplomatic player, and the evolving geopolitical landscape as Europe grapples with these challenges.

In this discussion, Carlo Martuscelli, a political journalist at POLITICO, and Carsten Brzeski, global head of macro at ING Think, dive into Europe’s economic stagnation compared to powerhouses like the U.S. and China. They explore the impact of COVID-19 and the Ukraine war, especially on Germany’s manufacturing sector. The guests highlight the cultural barriers to entrepreneurship in Germany, the urgent need for economic reforms, and the political dynamics influencing European competitiveness. Their insights illuminate the pressing challenges facing Europe today.

Ursula von der Leyen, the Commission President, tackles a chaotic back-to-school season filled with naming new commissioners while balancing politics, geography, and expertise. Barbara Moens and Joanna Roberts dive into the implications of this chaos for European policy, especially in light of a rightward shift in elections. They also cover the significant rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany and its possible effect on governance. The discussion pokes into smartphone bans in schools aimed at combatting screen addiction and cyberbullying, highlighting their importance for children's mental health.

In this episode of EU Confidential, we speak to Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Anne Applebaum. Her latest book, "Autocracy Inc.," explores how authoritarian regimes are banding together against democracies, including EU countries.But first, we look ahead to local elections in three eastern German states, where extreme parties on both the right and the left are poised to make historic gains as migration dominates the headlines. Host Sarah Wheaton and POLITICO’s Berlin news editor, James Angelos, dive into Germany’s “left conservatism” standard-bearer Sahra Wagenknecht and how her party is reshaping the political landscape, alongside surging support for the far-right Alternative for Germany.Further reading: Is Germany’s rising superstar so far left she’s far right?, by James AngelosMigration smashes into German elections after deadly knife attack, by Nette Nöstlinger Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join agriculture reporter Alessandro Ford as he dives into the heated debate over lab-grown meat in Europe. He reveals how this innovation threatens traditional farming and subsidies within the EU's Common Agricultural Policy. The conversation addresses Italy's cultural resistance to synthetic foods and the potential economic impacts on rural communities. Ford also explores the regulatory hurdles faced by lab-grown meat, discussing its implications for national identity and the future of farming.

Hanne Cokelaere, James Angelos, and Aitor Hernández-Morales, POLITICO reporters, dive deep into the motivations behind the rising support for far-right parties across Europe. They discuss the changing demographics of these voters, including younger supporters and women. Economic hardship and fears surrounding education and public services emerge as significant factors driving this shift. The conversation also touches on surprising trends in countries like Portugal and Germany, revealing a complex picture of disillusionment with mainstream politics.