Eddy Wax, a co-author of POLITICO’s Playbook, brings sharp insights on the recent EU Commissioner hearings, which showcased the political theater overshadowing actual policy discussions. The panel highlights the rising partisanship among MEPs and how it may reshape EU priorities. They discuss the potential impact of a second Trump presidency on Europe, especially regarding defense policies and political alliances. Wax also critiques the ambiguous commitments of the nominees, pointing out the urgent need for strong leadership amid escalating challenges.

Nicholas Vinocur, POLITICO editor-at-large, joins German MEPs Katarina Barley and David McAllister to discuss how Trump’s election victory is reshaping Europe's political landscape. They delve into Hungary's enthusiastic alignment with Orlando, the fracturing of Germany's government, and the implications for transatlantic relations. Pieter Haeck brings insights on the upcoming European Commission nominees, focusing on youth representation and the need for modernized military capabilities in response to shifting global dynamics.

Jakob Hanke Vela, a POLITICO reporter covering U.S. elections from D.C., and Francesca Chambers, USA Today’s White House correspondent with a decade of electoral experience, dive deep into the U.S. campaign's final days. They discuss the quirky nature of American campaigning, compare it to European elections, and analyze the implications of Trump’s potential return on transatlantic relations. The duo also examines how issues like migration and identity politics are shaping voter sentiment, highlighting the unpredictable landscape as the elections approach.

A vote that was supposed to be a slam dunk in favor of the EU turned into a nail-biter: barely 50 percent of Moldovans backed the country’s accession ambitions in last week’s referendum. Does a massive Russian interference campaign of vote-buying and lies explain the result — or is Brussels’ tepid support for Ukraine’s resistance to Russian aggression also to blame? Ahead of a vote with similar stakes in the Republic of Georgia, EU Confidential host Sarah Wheaton is joined by POLITICO reporters who’ve lived and traveled extensively in the region: Eva Hartog, Gabriel Gavin and, dialing in from Kyiv, Veronika Melkozerova. Next, we listen in on a POLITICO Pro Connect session (usually off the record and invitation- only) with our top policy editors unpacking the Commission’s new “Jenga tower” structure. Policy Editor Joanna Roberts discusses which commissioners have actual power — and which just have fancy titles — with Aoife White, Cory Bennett, Jan Cienski and Douglas Busvine. The event was part of POLITICO Pro Connect “In Conversation With” series, which you can learn more about here.Further reading:Moldova and Georgia ring alarm bells for the EU, by Gabriel Gavin and Eva HartogPro-EU campaign won in Moldova despite ‘unfair fight,’ president says, by Gabriel GavinThe man who bought a country, by Dato Parulava and Eva HartogAshes of Our Fathers. Inside the Fall of Nagorno-Karabakh, Gabriel Gavin’s book, will be released in January 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.