In this episode we unpack the EU's new buzzword and the main point of discussion at this week's European Council summit: competitiveness.

In this episode we unpack the EU's new buzzword and the main point of discussion at this week's European Council summit: competitiveness. We also bring you another new buzzword from Brussels this week: Bolshewokism.Host Sarah Wheaton is joined by POLITICO's chief Brussels correspondent, Barbara Moens, to recap the leaders' summit and their attempt to make the bloc's economy more competitive with regards China and the United States. We also discuss former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta's newly released report on how to overhaul the EU's single market, and we hear from Letta himself, in conversation with POLITICO's own Giovanna Faggionato.Later, we have a fascinating discussion with Atlantic Council senior fellow and author Elisabeth Braw about her new book "Goodbye Globalization: The Return of a Divided World."And we end our episode explaining how the word "Bolshewokism" came to describe a National Conservatism Conference, featuring Nigel Farage and Viktor Orbán, which was upended by local Brussels mayors.Further Reading:<a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/enrico-letta-report-says-time-for-european-single-market/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">"Time for a European single market ‘with teeth’ to take on China, India, leaders told,"</a> by Giovanna Faggionato and and Bjarke Smith-Meyer<a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/europe-global-plans-money-green-economy/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">"A new inconvenient truth: Europe’s global plans all require money no one has,"</a> by By Karl Mathiesen, Barbara Moens, Giovanna Faggionato and Giorgio Leali<a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/ridiculous-own-goal-brussels-mayors-give-europe-hard-right-nationalists-free-hit-before-eu-election/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">"Europe’s hard-right bags big win after ‘own goal’ by Brussels mayors,"</a> by Eddy Wax

Brussels buzzwords of the week: competitiveness and Bolshewokism

With just weeks to go until the European Parliament election, we're bringing you the state of play.

With just weeks to go until the European Parliament election, we're bringing you the state of play.Host Sarah Wheaton is joined by Elisa Braun, POLITICO's Brussels correspondent, and Nicholas Vinocur, POLITICO's editor at large, to discuss the many political challenges facing EPP lead candidate Ursula von der Leyen: "Pfizergate," "Piepergate" and the internal rebellion by a group of fellow commissioners.Later, a panel of keen election watchers — Eddy Wax, who covers the European Parliament for POLITICO, technology reporter Clothilde Goujard and Matteo Albania, communications director at Must Consulting — gives us an update on the new rules for online campaigning (aimed at fighting disinformation and AI-generated deepfakes) and takes stock of the campaign so far.Further reading:<a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-political-parties-promise-to-steer-clear-of-deepfakes-ahead-of-election/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EU political parties promise to steer clear of deepfakes ahead of election</a> by Clothilde Goujard<a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/europe-wields-new-tech-law-protect-eu-election/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Europe wields new tech law to protect EU election</a> by Clothilde Goujard<a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/emmanuel-macron-loved-tweet-swipe-ursula-von-der-leyen-says-french-commissioner-thierry-breton/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Macron ‘loved’ me sniping at von der Leyen, says French commissioner</a> by Elisa Braun and Eddy Wax<a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/document-commissioners-internal-revolt-eu-von-der-leyen-favoritism-accusation-sme-envoy-han-markus-pieper/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Von der Leyen struggles to quell revolt over controversial business envoy pick</a> by Giovanna Faggionato, Nicholas Vinocur and Julia Wacket&nbsp;

EU election latest: Knives out for Ursula von der Leyen

In this episode, we unpack the growing urgency among EU leaders to defeat Russia's Vladimir Putin. 

In this episode, we unpack the growing urgency among EU leaders to defeat Russia's Vladimir Putin. Remember the old Latin saying: si vis pacem, para bellum (if you want peace, prepare for war)? We discuss what that might mean today.We also explain what's at stake in presidential runoff elections in Slovakia and round out our episode exploring why chocolate prices in Europe are skyrocketing and what "greedflation" has to do with it.Host Sarah Wheaton is joined by Barbara Moens, POLITICO's chief EU correspondent, Milan Nič, senior fellow for Central and Eastern Europe at the German Council on Foreign Relations and Alessandro Ford, agriculture reporter at POLITICO.Have a great spring break! We will be back in your feed on April 12.Further reading:<a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/broadening-consensus-on-need-to-defeat-putin-among-eu-leaders-says-lithuanian-president/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">"‘Broadening’ consensus on need to defeat Putin among EU leaders, says Lithuanian president,"</a> by Jacopo Barigazzi and Barbara Moens<a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/coalition-stalwart-edges-pro-eu-opponent-in-first-round-slovak-presidential-ballot/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">"Slovak president election: Pro-EU diplomat tops coalition stalwart in first round,"</a> by Tom Nicholson"<a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/slovakia-eu-rule-of-law-prime-minister-robert-fico/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Slovakia, the EU’s next rule of law headache,</a>" by&nbsp;Ketrin Jochecová and Nicolas Camut<a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/chocolate-easter-egg-prices-supply-cocoa-retail/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">"Big Chocolate is conning you this Easter,"</a> by Alessandro FordAnd finally ...Have your say on Europe’s future at the third edition of the Maastricht Debate. On April 29 at 7 p.m. CET, Studio Europa Maastricht and POLITICO are organizing the debate that will put the candidates in line to lead Europe onstage and in front of the issues that matter to European youth.&nbsp;Find out more and register to watch the 2024 Maastricht Debate&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.eu/event/registration/4166220/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">by clicking here</a>.

'If you want peace, prepare for war': How an old saying is making a comeback in Europe

As EU leaders received a stark warning about the climate risks facing the bloc, the European Commission caved to farmer protests and demands to slash environmental requirements.

As EU leaders received a stark warning about the climate risks facing the bloc, the European Commission caved to farmer protests and demands to slash environmental requirements.Host Sarah Wheaton talks to POLITICO's climate policy reporter Zia Weise about the recent report on climate risks facing the bloc, the first of its kind from the European Environment Agency. We dive into the sobering findings and the reactions.And then Sarah hosts a conversation with POLITICO's senior climate correspondent Karl Mathiesen and Tom Brookes — the head of the Meloire Foundation and one of Brussels' top green lobbyists. Tom reveals new polling on how European citizens view climate issues heading into the European election in June — and they debate the politics of climate blowback.Additional reading ...<a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/5-things-we-learned-eu-first-climate-change-risk-report-eea/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">"5 things we learned from the EU’s big (and first) climate risk report"</a> by Zia Weise<a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-takes-the-ax-to-green-farming-rules/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">"EU takes the ax to green farming rules"</a> by Bartosz Brzeziński<a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/bears-cars-angry-farmers-fuel-green-deal-backlash-eu-agenda-european-commission-ursula-von-der-leyen/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">"Bears, cars and angry farmers fuel green backlash"</a> by Karl Mathiesen

Farmers lead the EU climate backlash

In this episode of, host Sarah Wheaton is joined by POLITICO’s Aitor Hernández-Morales, Barbara Moens and Nicholas Vinocur to break down the results of the vote and discuss what the far-right surge in Portugal could mean for the future of the EU.

Portugal's snap election has brought seismic change — the Socialists are now in opposition and the center-right Democratic Alliance, which narrowly won the vote, will try to form a minority government. But the biggest shock came when the far-right, ultra-nationalist, anti-immigrant Chega won more than a million votes and became the third-largest party in parliament.In this episode of EU Confidential, host Sarah Wheaton is joined by POLITICO’s Aitor Hernández-Morales, Barbara Moens and Nicholas Vinocur to break down the results of the vote and discuss what the far-right surge in Portugal could mean for the future of the EU — with the European elections on the horizon and the race for top jobs underway.Later, POLITICO's Stuart Lau interviews Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson after his country officially joined NATO.Further readings:<a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-commission-president-ursula-von-der-leyens-reelection-campaign-bumpy-start/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ursula von der Leyen’s reelection campaign gets off to a bumpy start – POLITICO</a><a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/portugal-far-right-back-democratic-alliance-chega-antonio-costa/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Portugal’s far right comes roaring back – POLITICO</a><a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/portugal-election-democratic-alliance-right-luis-montenegro-far-right/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Portugal swings right in knife-edge snap election – POLITICO</a>

Portuguese voters' anger and what it means for Europe

On this bumper edition of EU Confidential, we take you inside the two-day European People Party's Congress in Bucharest.

On this bumper edition of EU Confidential, we take you inside the two-day European People Party's Congress in Bucharest.Host Sarah Wheaton and POLITICO's Eddy Wax reveal what was happening as the center-right EPP sealed the deal on its campaign manifesto and anointed its lead candidate for the European Parliament election: Ursula von der Leyen.They speak exclusively to delegates and key EPP figures including Roberta Metsola, Manfred Weber, Thanasis Bakolas, Leo Varadkar, Michel Barnier, Petteri Orpo, Mariya Gabriel, Peter Liese, Adina Ioana Vălean, Petri Sarvamaa, Dara Murphy and Lídia Pereira.

Inside the European People's Party Congress 2024

With less than 100 days until the European Parliament election, we bring you the state of play. Also, we hear from Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili about her country's ambitions to join the EU.

With less than 100 days until the European Parliament election, we bring you the state of play. Also, we hear from Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili about her country's ambitions to join the EU.Host Sarah Wheaton assembles a panel of astute election watchers to break down the key issues and people shaping the discussions as campaigns get underway for the EU election in June: POLITICO's Parliament reporter Eddy Wax; Francesca Romana D'Antuono, co-president of Volt Europa; and Thomas Thaler, co-lead of APCO's EU election task force. And be sure to subscribe to POLITICO's weekly <a href="https://www.politico.eu/newsletter/eu-election-playbook/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EU Election Playbook</a>, authored by Eddy.Then later in the podcast, Berlin Playbook author Gordon Repinski sits down with Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili to discuss her country's EU aspirations, domestic political tensions and persistent threats from neighboring Russia. You can sign up to receive POLITICO's new Berlin Playbook <a href="https://www.politico.eu/berlin-playbook/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.

European Parliament election 2024 — state of play

As we mark two years of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we take stock of how the war has changed Europe — as well as life for Ukrainians under siege. Also, we look at Ursula von der Leyen's campaign to remain European Commission chief.

As we mark two years of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we take stock of how the war has changed Europe's political landscape and identity — as well as life for Ukrainians under siege. Also, we look at Ursula von der Leyen's campaign to remain European Commission chief.Von der Leyen finally announced her intention this week to officially seek another term at the helm following the European Parliament election in June. Host Sarah Wheaton is joined by POLITICO's Hans von der Burchard about the not-so-surprising announcement and what we can expect from von der Leyen's campaign over the coming months. And as mentioned, Hans is part of POLITICO's new Berlin Playbook team — you can subscribe <a href="https://www.politico.eu/berlin-playbook/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.Then we turn our focus to Ukraine. Executive Producer Cristina Gonzalez sits down with renowned Bulgarian political scientist Ivan Krastev at the recent Munich Security Conference to unpack how the war in Ukraine has fundamentally changed Europe.And finally, Sarah is joined by our reporter in Kyiv, Veronika Melkozerova, for a poignant personal account of how the war has impacted her and her fellow Ukrainian citizens. You can read Veronika's full story here: <a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/what-it-is-like-to-be-ukrainian-2024-war/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">"Being Ukrainian in 2024: 'People look at me as if I'm terminally ill'".</a>

VDL 2.0 — How Europe and Ukraine have changed, two years into Russia's all-out war

In this episode of EU Confidential, we discuss reactions in European capitals to Donald Trump's latest comments on NATO and Russia.

Donald Trump has again sent shockwaves across Europe with comments suggesting that he would encourage Russia to invade NATO countries that do not spend enough on defense.In this episode, we discuss reactions in European capitals. Host Sarah Wheaton and her colleagues — senior Paris correspondent Clea Caulcutt, chief Europe correspondent Matthew Karnitschnig and Stuart Lau who covers China and NATO — check whether Trump's criticism of NATO could effectively prompt EU leaders to enhance the bloc's defense capabilities. They also zoom into Budapest where an unexpected political scandal <a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/hungary-president-katalin-novak-calls-quit-sex-abuse-case/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">toppled</a> two of Viktor Orbán's biggest loyalists.Later, to mark Valentine's Day, we also talk love. Our guest is Marjorie Libourel, a professional matchmaker based in Brussels. She discusses the challenges of dating and relationships in the Bubble, as well as making connections in an era of political polarization and changing gender roles.Further reading:"<a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/brussels-power-couples-2024/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Brussels power couples 2024</a>" by Sarah Wheaton and Eddy Wax<a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/donald-trump-just-did-europe-a-favor/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">"Donald Trump just did Europe a favor</a>" by Matthew Karnitschnig<a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/hungary-president-katalin-novak-calls-quit-sex-abuse-case/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">"Hungary President Novak quits under pressure over sex-abuse pardon case" </a>by Aitor Hernández-Morales and Stuart Lau

Europe responds to Donald Trump

From Brussels and around the Continent — the top European politics podcast.

EU Confidential is a weekly European news and politics podcast published every Friday by POLITICO Europe. Each 30-minute episode features POLITICO’s analysis of the top stories driving EU politics, as well as notable guests shaping European policy and deep-dive stories from around the Continent. It’s hosted by Sarah Wheaton, POLITICO’s chief policy correspondent, who is joined by reporters from around Europe. Discover our show notes for EU Confidential here: https://www.politico.eu/eu-confidential-podcast/

POLITICO's EU Confidential

Social Media

Follow

Your Hosts

Sarah Wheaton