Episodes

  • Brussels wanted less red tape. It hasn't proved as easy as that.

    Brussels wanted less red tape. It hasn't proved as easy as that.
    May 20 2026
    Brussels is discovering that cutting red tape may be harder without actual experts in the room. As the EU races ahead with its deregulation drive, concerns are growing over rushed lawmaking, weaker safeguards and the sidelining of technical specialists. Then, EU leaders are exploring ways to make Russia sanctions harder to block — including extending renewal deadlines from six months to a year — as Brussels moves quickly after Viktor Orbán’s departure. And finally: Giorgia Meloni’s party has found a new political battleground — peacocks. Yes, really. For this episode of the Brussels Playbook Podcast, Ian Wishart is joined by POLITICO senior finance reporter Kathryn Carlson. Send us your thoughts — and your views on whether peacocks should be considered a public menace — on our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    14 mins
  • Budapest and Kyiv break the ice

    Budapest and Kyiv break the ice
    May 19 2026
    After years of Hungary’s former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán blocking Ukraine’s path to join the EU, Budapest and Kyiv are talking again. That has Brussels wondering if Hungary might finally be softening its position on Ukrainian accession. Today on the pod, Nick and Ian discuss why joining the bloc is so important to the war-torn nation and why — even if the mood is shifting in Budapest — it’s unlikely to change overnight. Also on the show, EU Commissioner Jozef Síkela is heading to Nuuk for a conference called Future Greenland. It’s all part of the EU’s attempt to court the Arctic island as Donald Trump continues to exert his influence. And finally: Bono, Angela Merkel and “The Greek Freak” Giannis Antetokounmpo will receive the European Parliament’s brand-new Order of Merit awards. Who would you nominate for the awards? Send us a message on our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    15 mins
  • Why Brussels is getting tougher on China

    Why Brussels is getting tougher on China
    May 18 2026
    The European Commission is preparing to take a much tougher line on China, we hear on this episode of the Brussels Playbook Podcast, with Zoya Sheftalovich joined by Nick Vinocur. Brussels is growing increasingly worried about cheap imports, industrial decline and dependence on Chinese critical raw materials. Then: Despite 20 EU sanctions packages against Russia, a major investigation reveals how Russian networks still manage to get hold of European technology through shell companies and third countries including Turkey. And finally, the European Parliament heads to Strasbourg — where MEPs are once again arguing over parliamentary immunity, prosecutorial overreach and whether lawmakers are becoming too protective of their own. Send us your thoughts — and your favorite European museum, since it’s International Museum Day — on our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    16 mins
  • Two transatlantic power brokers on why Europe should step up on Iran and double down on Ukraine

    Two transatlantic power brokers on why Europe should step up on Iran and double down on Ukraine
    May 15 2026
    Welcome to the very first edition of the Brussels Playbook Week Ender. Anne McElvoy travels to the Copenhagen Democracy Summit, an annual event that brings together defenders of democracy in the Danish capital. As U.S. President Donald Trump visits China and the conflicts in Ukraine and Iran remain unresolved, how is Europe grappling with crises on multiple fronts? Anne sits down with two influential powerbrokers from the other side of the Atlantic. Chrystia Freeland is an economic adviser to Ukraine President Zelenskyy and until last year was Canada's deputy prime minister: They discuss Ukraine's war effort and political stability in a week that saw Andriy Yermak, the former head of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office, charged with corruption and money-laundering offenses. Anne also talks to John Bolton, the former U.S. national security adviser during Trump's first term, about Europe's response to the war in Iran and Trump's visit to China. Questions or comments? Message our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    37 mins
  • The Commission’s next big overhaul?

    The Commission’s next big overhaul?
    May 13 2026
    One of the Commission’s oldest and most powerful departments may be heading for a dramatic overhaul — or even extinction. DG REGIO oversees the hundreds of billions of euros that go towards the social development of local regions and cities. But its potential restructuring by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is a clear sign that the EU's aims are shifting. Zoya and Ian explain the thinking behind this redesign and the wide-ranging impacts. Also, after just a year as German chancellor, Friedrich Merz’s popularity is plunging to new lows. His most recent comeback tour around the country — aimed at reviving support — has backfired. On the show, we try to understand why the conservative leader is struggling to connect with Germans. Finally: Purchasing a train ticket across Europe is a convoluted process that involves different railway operators from different countries. The European Commission wants to simplify that ... but it won’t be easy. Do you work at the European Commission? We’d love to hear your take on the DG REGIO restructuring or big reshuffles taking place in other departments! Send us a message to our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. Anonymity guaranteed if you need it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    16 mins
  • Could influencers crash future EU summits?

    Could influencers crash future EU summits?
    May 12 2026
    Ukraine wants Europe more involved in peace efforts with Russia — but who exactly would represent Europe in those talks? After Vladimir Putin floated former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder as a possible negotiator, Brussels reacted with disbelief. Host Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur unpack the growing debate around Europe’s role in future peace negotiations, including Nick’s interview with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and Zoya’s conversation with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand on why Ottawa is moving closer to Europe on Ukraine, defense and security. Then: Europe’s latest attempt to get ahead of the artificial intelligence boom before it spirals out of control. From a new child-focused AI safety institute unveiled in Copenhagen with Ursula von der Leyen and Hillary Clinton, to Belgium’s push for an AI “coalition of the willing.” And finally: Influencers could soon get access to EU summits, doorsteps and press conferences as part of a new European Council pilot project. Do you have a name in mind? Send us your recommendations on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    15 mins
  • French cinema is spooked by the far right

    French cinema is spooked by the far right
    May 11 2026
    When foreign ministers meet in Brussels today, Israel and Russia will likely dominate the agenda. Today on the pod, Zoya and Nick discuss why the bloc might finally be able to move forward on sanctioning several Israeli individuals involved with settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. Plus, the EU is looking to move forward on a new round of sanctions towards Russia, hoping to pressure Moscow back to the negotiating table. Also on the show, the Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares told Zoya in an exclusive interview that the EU needs to build its own military. He argues, with Russia on its doorstep and U.S. President Donald Trump turning away from the bloc, “this is the moment of the sovereignty and independence of Europe.” And finally, the film industry is freaking out about what a far-right win in next year’s presidential election could mean for francophone cinema. We’re curious: Do you have a favorite film from France or your own country? Send it along to us on our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    16 mins
  • Who’s “European” — and who’s not?

    Who’s “European” — and who’s not?
    May 8 2026
    We’re talking identity this week on EU Confidential — in more ways than one. First, host Sarah Wheaton sits down with Theresa Kuhn, professor of European studies at the University of Amsterdam, who has led a major research project tracking how European identity has evolved across the continent over the past five decades. At a moment when Europe feels tense, vulnerable and under pressure, Kuhn’s research suggests people in many countries may actually feel more European than they used to. But what kind of European identity is growing? Who gets included in that idea of Europe — and who increasingly doesn’t? They also unpack how wars, migration, crises and the rise of the far right are reshaping the way Europeans see themselves. Then, a different kind of identity question: the future of this show itself. Back in February, we launched the Brussels Playbook Podcast — our daily 15-minute morning show running Monday through Thursday. And now, the Friday edition is officially joining the family under a new name: Week Ender. There’ll be new cover art and a new sound … but the core idea remains the same: a deeper dive into the biggest stories shaping Europe each week. To celebrate this new era, we brought in EU Confidential’s original host, Ryan Heath, to discuss how the political landscape (and audio equipment) has changed since he first helmed the show. Questions or comments? Send a message to our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    33 mins