EU Confidential

Barbara Moens, the chief EU correspondent at POLITICO, Aitor Hernández-Morales, an Iberian politics expert, and Nick Vinocur, co-author of The Brussels Playbook, dissect the newly formed leadership trio in Brussels. They evaluate whether this team can effectively tackle challenges, especially support for Ukraine amidst changing political tides. The conversation also touches on the ongoing political crisis in France, the evolving EU dynamics, and the implications of leadership styles in navigating geopolitical issues. Expect insights full of sharp analysis!

Oana Lungescu, former NATO spokesperson, and Max Griera, POLITICO reporter, discuss Romania's surprising presidential election where pro-Russia candidate Călin Georgescu shook the political landscape. They explore the influence of TikTok on his nationalist campaign and the potential ramifications for NATO and European unity. Lungescu highlights concerns about the rise of far-right sentiments, while Griera reveals the intricate backroom politics behind the new European Commission, shedding light on shifting power dynamics in Brussels.

Gordon Repinski, POLITICO’s executive editor for Germany, discusses Chancellor Olaf Scholz's precarious position amid a looming political crisis and snap elections in Germany. Liana Fix offers insights on how this domestic chaos impacts EU stability. Eric Bazail-Eimil then dives into Marco Rubio's unconventional rise as a potential envoy under Trump, exploring his foreign policy evolution and Cuban-American influence. The conversation highlights the interplay between U.S. foreign policy and European security in a shifting political landscape.

Europe is grappling with an energy crisis fueled by geopolitical tensions, requiring urgent infrastructure changes. Experts highlight Denmark's success in renewable energy since the 1970s as a model for decarbonization. Unity among European nations is essential for enhancing energy security, and initiatives like the Northern Seas Treaty are crucial. Cybersecurity threats from adversarial nations pose significant risks to energy infrastructures. The discussion also emphasizes avoiding new dependencies on unreliable suppliers and fostering innovation and cooperation for sustainable energy.

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