EU Confidential

Hanne Cokelaere, James Angelos, and Aitor Hernández-Morales, POLITICO reporters, dive deep into the motivations behind the rising support for far-right parties across Europe. They discuss the changing demographics of these voters, including younger supporters and women. Economic hardship and fears surrounding education and public services emerge as significant factors driving this shift. The conversation also touches on surprising trends in countries like Portugal and Germany, revealing a complex picture of disillusionment with mainstream politics.

Aitor Hernández-Morales, a prominent political journalist, joins Sorcha Edwards, secretary general of Housing Europe, to tackle Europe's soaring housing crisis. They delve into the dire realities of rising rents and the scarcity of affordable housing across the EU. The duo discusses the political ramifications, including far-right parties exploiting housing woes for electoral gains. Personal stories from affected citizens highlight the urgency for solutions, while they explore potential EU interventions amidst a backdrop of evolving political landscapes.

Barbara Moens, POLITICO’s chief EU correspondent, sheds light on the intense behind-the-scenes maneuvering among European leaders vying for key EU Commission positions. She explains the strategic complexities of national nominations and gender balance challenges. Transitioning to Paris, the excitement surrounding the Olympics juxtaposes with political tensions, particularly over the controversial opening ceremony. Moens captures the cultural divides and security concerns that accompany France’s spirited Olympic festivities.

JD Vance discusses U.S. support for Ukraine. Podcast covers Kamala Harris' foreign policy views on Europe, training of Ukrainian soldiers in Germany for urban warfare, and the challenges faced in Germany's support for Ukraine. Insights on Republican perspectives, American commitment to Ukraine, and global leadership roles are also detailed.

Politico's reporter Eddy Wax shares behind the scenes insights on MEPs' secret ballot election for Ursula von der Leyen, including strategic alliances and key issues within the EU. Discussions on the inaugural session of the European Parliament, rejection of the Patriots proposal, condemnation of violence, and insights on lobbying and political dynamics in Strasbourg. MEP reflections on Von der Leyen's election, European policy towards China, and rising political violence are also covered.

Just days into his country's rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, Hungary Prime Minister Viktor Orbán again stunned other European leaders by setting off on a series of visits to Kyiv, Moscow and Beijing, styling himself as a peace negotiator with a mandate from Brussels.Host Sarah Wheaton and POLITICO's chief EU correspondent Barbara Moens discuss Orbán's rough-and-tumble diplomacy tour and reactions it has provoked among the bloc's politicians and diplomats. But beyond angry tweets and statements clarifying that Orbán represents only his own country and not the bloc as a whole, are there other, more effective ways to rein in a leader whom is viewed as out of line?Then we zoom in on Washington, where NATO leaders have gathered for their annual summit to celebrate the alliance's 75th anniversary and pledge continued support for Ukraine. Joining us from Washington is Stuart Lau, POLITICO's NATO correspondent.Finally, we have a conversation with José Manuel Barroso, who previously led the European Commission for 10 years. He reflects on the results of the European elections and offers advice to Ursula von der Leyen and other European leaders on what can be done to boost people's support for EU integration.Further reading and listening:French election shocker: reaction and analysis, by Nicholas Vinocur, Marion Solletty and our Paris teamEU fumes at rogue Orbán, but struggles to rein him in, by Barbara MoensOrbán parrots Putin’s lines on Ukraine in leaked letter to EU chief, by Csongor Körömi and Barbara MoensDivided, reshuffled and politically bruised: Europe’s leaders head to the NATO summit by Stuart Lau and Laura KayaliNATO backs Ukraine’s ‘irreversible path’, names China a ‘decisive enabler’ in Russia’s war, by Stuart Lau Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

France has voted and the results are in — our POLITICO team in Paris discusses the surprising results of the final round of the parliamentary election in this special episode of EU Confidential.Host Nicholas Vinocur is first joined by POLITICO's Victor Goury-Laffont to break down the results and explain how President Emmanuel Macron’s centrists and the left-wing alliance mobilized to stymie Marine Le Pen’s far right National Rally.POLITICO's executive editor in France, Marion Solletty, joins the podcast to discuss where France goes from here.We also hear from POLITICO's Giorgio Leali, calling in from the National Rally's election event, and Nicolas Camut, checking in from one of the left-wing alliance’s parties, France Unbowed.We hope you enjoy this special episode of EU Confidential from Paris. We'll be back in your feeds on Friday, as usual. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Just days before the final round of France's snap parliamentary elections, we discuss possible scenarios for what could emerge from the messy political situation in Paris: shiny new leaders, a shaky new government, rocky cohabitation — or even more chaos.Host Sarah Wheaton talks to POLITICO's senior correspondent in Paris, Clea Caulcutt.Later she's joined by former U.S. Ambassador to the EU Anthony Gardner and the director of the German Marshall Fund's Berlin office, Sudha David-Wilp. They break down the reactions of European leaders to President Joe Biden's poor performance in last week's debate with challenger Donald Trump, their doubts over Biden's prospects in November's election, and how Europe is approaching the possibility of Trump 2.0.Finally, to mark the start of Hungary's presidency of the Council of the EU, we have a dispatch from POLITICO reporter Eddy Wax, who sailed down the Danube recently on a trip to Budapest.If you're hungry for more election coverage, please tune in to POLITICO's Power Play, Westminster Insider and Politics at Jack and Sam's. This week they'll all be tackling the July 4 general election in the U.K.Programming alert! A special episode with news and analysis on the results of the second round of the French elections will be delivered to your feed on Monday morning. Don't miss it! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Straight from the European Council summit, we bring you the latest news and analysis on a range of tough issues on the leaders' agenda.Host Sarah Wheaton is joined by POLITICO colleagues Barbara Moens and Aitor Hernández-Morales to discuss how EU leaders agreed on who they want to lead the top EU institutions over the next five years.With Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a special guest at the summit, EU leaders also talked about Ukraine — following the official opening of accession talks between Brussels and Kyiv earlier this week.Finally, we speak to Clea Caulcutt, our senior correspondent in Paris. She unpacks the prospects of Sunday's first round of snap parliamentary elections.Further reading:EU leaders arrive to discuss top jobs at high-stakes meeting — live updates by POLITICOGiorgia Meloni hits out at EU top jobs backroom deal by Barbara Moens, Hannah Roberts and Giorgio LealiFar right seizes France’s conservative heartlands by Clea CaulcuttFrench election: Your guide to a vote that is set to shake the EU and NATO by Clea Caulcutt Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Almost two weeks after the EU election, there is still a lot of political manoeuvring going on — both in Brussels and in national capitals.First, POLITICO's chief EU correspondent, Barbara Moens, recaps of the race for the top jobs after European leaders failed to reach a deal at their informal dinner in Brussels earlier this week.Then, we zoom in on the countries and leaders who until recently were calling the shots, but now seem weakened — and those who are trying to seize the new zeitgeist and claim more power than they've had in the past. Host Sarah Wheaton and POLITICO's chief Europe correspondent in Berlin, Matthew Karnitschnig, discuss the precarious situation in which German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the parties in his governing coalition find themselves as a result of the EU vote.Later, we move to Poland and take a look at Donald Tusk and his increasingly dominant position among European leaders. Sarah is joined by Andrzej Bobiński, journalist and managing director of Polityka Insight in Warsaw, and Jan Cienski, POLITICO's senior political editor.And finally, Hungary's newly-unveiled slogan for its upcoming presidency of the Council of the EU may be "Make Europe Great Again," but we here at EU Confidential are all about MAGA: Making Audio Great Again. So do keep sending your ideas and comments to podcast@politico.eu.Further reading:EU leaders fail to agree on von der Leyen’s second term , by Barbara Moens, Jacopo Barigazzi and Stuart LauTime runs out for Olaf Scholz, by Matthew Karnitschnig Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices