MCC Brussels Podcast

We welcome MEP Anders Vistisen and MCC Brussels' Richard Schenk to digest a chaotic week in Germany, Trump's threats about Greenland, and the EU's half-hearted conversion to rolling back green policies.Germany’s political status quo just shattered. On Friday, the CDU and CSU (Die Union) brought a migration control bill to the Bundestag—fully aware it would pass with AfD support. Once the pilar of Merkel’s centrist rule, the CDU has now crossed a once-sacred line. The measure itself is nonbinding, but the Bundestag vote marks a symbolic rupture. For years, Germany’s mainstream parties swore they’d never touch the populist right. That vow now lies in tatters. Has the “firewall” against AfD just crumbled?Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, Trump seems dead serious about Greenland. Denmark is scrambling, EU leaders are panicking, and the White House sees Arctic dominance as a matter of national security. Could the U.S. really strongarm its way into controlling Europe’s largest island? What does this show about Europe’s sleepwalking attitude to defence?Brussels is at it again. Enter the “competitive compass,”  a grandiose scheme to try and make the Green Deal sound like a coherent idea without actually changing anything. The EU’s strategy is tragically transparent. Slap a fresh label on the same old anti-growth policies and hope no one notices. Is this just more bureaucratic smoke and mirrors from the architects of Europe’s economic malaise?

Trump’s has returned triumphantly to power, with a vision for a bold new era for America. In contrast, Europe's failing elites huddled together in Davos. But the EU is ready with its response to Trump: a revamped censorship machine. The first act of the EU has been to revamp the hated Digital Services Act, promising a new "democracy shield" to "protect" EU citizens from views the elites disagree with. But more broadly, they seem set on a host of anti-growth measures. The attack on freedom and growth, and the reign of environmental policies, is epitomised by their deliberate destruction of the car industry—targeting the mobility and autonomy the automobile symbolises.While Trump’s vision signals prosperity, freedom, and renewal, Europe doubles down on policies that stifle innovation and crush economic potential. As America reclaims its pioneering spirit, Europe seems content with stagnation and control. Will Europe rise to meet the challenge of America’s resurgence, or will it remain mired in its elite-driven malaise? The stakes couldn’t be higher.Jacob Reynolds is joined by Mick Hume, editor of EuropeanConservative.com and Agnieszka Kolek, MCC Brussels' head of cultural engagement.

Todays's museums have abandoned artifacts to focus on activism.The traditional museum, once the unwavering guardian of cultural treasures, is now unraveling as its purpose shifts—from exhibiting objects to shaping citizens.John O’Brien sits down with Katalin Deme, Senior Research fellow at MCC Brussels, for a deep dive into her report, “A Museums Renaissance: In defense of a traditional role”.This conversation explores the shift from the ancient Greek concept of the mouseion—a seat of the muses and scholarly pursuit—towards the modern "activist museum," which aims to “foster diversity and sustainability.”While some celebrate this evolution as a progressive embrace of social justice and ethical values, critics argue that the politicisation of museums compromises their core mission: to preserve and interpret the past. Has the focus on activism and contemporary ethics overshadowed the museum's role as a repository of knowledge and culture?

This week, we dive into the potential fallout of a second Trump presidency on transatlantic relations, examining how it could reshape NATO dynamics, trade agreements, and diplomatic ties between the U.S. and Europe. The growing influence of Elon Musk in European politics takes center stage as we explore how his ventures, rhetoric, and reach are shaping policy debates, particularly around energy, tech, and social media regulation. Additionally, we assess the economic consequences of Europe’s self-inflicted stagnation, from its energy policies to its regulatory burden, and what this means for its competitiveness on the global stage. Finally, we turn to Austria’s shifting political landscape, analysing the recent successes of the populist FPÖ and what that tells us about the mood in Europe. We’ll also dissect the fraying of the EU's cordon sanitaire, as populist and far-right parties gain ground and challenge the political status quo.Our panel includes András László MEP (Patriots for Europe, Fidesz), Hubert Wetzel (Brussels correspondent for Süddeutsche Zeitung), and hosted by Jacob Reynolds, Head of Policy at MCC Brussels.

Join us for a recap of 2024’s political shockwaves. From the farmers’ protests to the surge of the nonconformist right in the European Parliament elections, to Trump’s return and the reshaping of Europe’s political order – 2024 was one for the books.Giorgia Meloni emerges as Europe’s rising star, Hungary shakes up the EU and the once-unshakeable cordon sanitaire begins to fray. Plus, our festive “Naughty and Nice” list highlights the key figures who defined the year.

The disastrous Scholz government has collapsed, leaving Germany reeling in the wake of its failed green utopia and chaotic migration policies. Once the engine of Europe, Germany is now a crucible of political failure and economic decline. In this MCC podcast, we delve into the intricate story of how Scholz’s coalition unravelled, exposing a labyrinth of incompetence, short-sighted energy fantasies, and policies that beckon crisis instead of solutions.With insights from Professor Werner J. Patzelt, economist Prof. Dr. Thomas Mayer, Richard Schnek, and Professor Frank Füredi, we uncover why this isn’t just the end of Scholz – it’s the start of Germany’s most profound reckoning. The political tapestry is torn, the economy teeters, and the question remains: can Germany reimagine itself, or is this the beginning of its downfall?

Two seismic events have rocked European politics. In Romania, the shocking decision to CANCEL the presidential election sent shockwaves across the continent, revealing the anti-Democratic impulses of European elites for all to see. Meanwhile, Michel Barnier's government in France collapsed, throwing not just Emmanuel Macron but the entire fifth republic into crisis. Behind both of these events lie a broad crisis of democracy in Europe. Join Frank Furedi and Jacob Reynolds in this week's episode of the MCC Brussels podcast. We dig into France, Romania and the crisis of democracy in Europe.

Jacob Reynolds is joined by Patricia Santos, Brussels Editor-in-Chief of El Debate, and MCC Brussels' research fellow Richard Schenk to take a look at the surprise victory of "TikTok candidate" Calin Georgescu in Romania, possible revisions to the Green Deal, and how the EU loves celebrating "international days", this time about violence against women.

Joining us today is MEP Tom Vandendriessche as we talk about how Hungary is locking horns with the EU over migration rules and anti-LGBTQ+ laws.We talk about the ongoing war in Ukraine.  How the farmers’ protests are gaining momentum across the continent, and why Antifa remains a constant headache for Vlaams Belang in Belgium.

Shocking scenes played out in Amsterdam with the apparent hunting down of Jews in the city's streets following a football game. Tensions have risen in France also surrounding a national game between the French and the Israelis. Far from being an incidence of simple hooliganism, this seems to represent a dark strain of Islamism that been allowed to take root in European cities. At the same time, Germany's government has collapsed, with new elections in the New Year. This follows months of unresolved tensions and a spiralling economic crisis in "Europe's economic powerhouse". What has caused the issues? What can we expect?The podcast also digs into the reaction of European leaders to Trump's win, as well as a reflection on the circus surrounding the hearings of the new EU Commissioners taking place in the EU Parliament. With Jacob Reynolds, head of policy at MCC Brussels, Pieter Cleppe, editor in chief of Brussels Report, and Richard Schenk, MCC Brussels' research fellow.