Brussels Playbook Podcast

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The EU's report card: Ukraine, Moldova and other aspiring members Nov 10, 2023

Show notes

The EU made important steps this week toward bringing new members into the bloc — our POLITICO team explains in this episode of EU Confidential.

Host Suzanne Lynch is joined by POLITICO's Barbara Moens and Jakob Hanke Vela in Brussels, as well as Sam Greene from the Center for European Policy Analysis in Washington to discuss the European Commission's annual report card on the ten countries hoping to join the 27 EU members. The report recommends the start of formal accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, but what exactly does that mean? And where does that leave others in the Western Balkans, for example, who've been waiting in the wings for years?

Also in this episode, POLITICO's Aitor Hernández-Morales explains what's behind the shock resignation this week of Portugal's Prime Minister António Costa amid a corruption probe.

And finally, POLITICO's Anne McElvoy brings us details of her conversation with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on our Power Play podcast, out this week. The PM has some "hard truths" for Israel, and sheds light on relations with nearby Turkey, as well as his country's approach to migration and climate change; and he addresses rule of law concerns. Listen to the Power Play interview here.

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The race to regulate AI before it's too late Nov 03, 2023

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It has been a big week for the world's key players in the race to regulate AI development and make it safe. In this episode of EU Confidential, we bring you a roundup of where things stand — after the AI Safety Summit, organized by U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak; the publication of the G7 AI code of conduct; and the signing by U.S. President Joe Biden of a long-awaited 100-page executive order on regulating and funding AI.

Host Suzanne Lynch, with some assistance from AI technology, talks to POLITICO's technology gurus Mark Scott and Gian Volpicelli about what's at stake and where the EU stands in this regulatory race. Will we see an agreement on facial recognition technology in the EU, or AI-generated surveillance methods?

Later in the episode, we have a fascinating conversation with Professor Anu Bradford, author of "Digital Empires: The Global Battle to Regulate Technology," which focuses on the ongoing rivalry between the tech superpowers.

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EU leaders meet amid Israel-Hamas war Oct 27, 2023

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Coming to you directly from the European Council summit, our POLITICO team brings you the very latest on a range of difficult subjects facing EU leaders during their two-day meeting in Brussels.

In a packed press centre, host Suzanne Lynch, along with Jacopo Barigazzi, Barbara Moens, Nicholas Vinocur and Hans von der Burchard unpack the topics on the table, including: the Israel-Hamas war, support for Ukraine, the EU's long term budget, and migration.

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Welcome back, Donald: Seismic shift in Poland after general election Oct 20, 2023

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In this episode, we analyze what Poland's recent election means for its political future and EU relations — in conversation with journalist and historian Anne Applebaum. We also shed light on a troubling terrorist attack this week in Brussels.

With a record turnout of over 74 percent, Polish voters decided they wanted change. They waved goodbye to the ultra-conservative, anti-EU Law and Justice government and handed power to the democratic opposition led by former prime minister and European Council President Donald Tusk.

POLITICO's Jan Cienski and Nick Vinocur join us to discuss the implications of the Polish election for both Poland and the EU, and they bring us up to date on this week's major events in the Middle East and the terrorist attack in Brussels, in which two Swedes were shot dead by a radicalized gunman.

Later, host Suzanne Lynch talks to Anne Applebaum. The American-Polish journalist, commentator and historian explains the challenges facing the future Polish government as it will try to restore the rule of law and depoliticize state institutions after eight years of anti-democratic rule.

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Deadly attacks on Israel and a bitter Polish election Oct 13, 2023

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In this episode of EU Confidential, POLITICO's Barbara Moens joins us to discuss the EU’s muddled response to the heinous attack on Israel in which Hamas killed over a thousand civilians and took dozens of people hostage, sparking outrage and disbelief.

Then we turn our focus to Poland. Host Suzanne Lynch brings us up to date on the crucial general election this Sunday and its potential impact on the EU and Poland’s relationship with Brussels. We hear from POLITICO’s Jan Cienski in Warsaw, who reports on the final stages of a bitter and brutal election campaign, and from Polish members of the European Parliament representing opposition parties in Poland – Róża Thun and Radoslaw Sikorski, outspoken critics of the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party. We invited PiS to join the conversation, but they declined.

Also in the episode, our producer Dionis Sturis speaks to pro-opposition demonstrators at a Polish anti-government protest in Brussels.

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Donald Trump 2.0 — is Europe ready? Oct 06, 2023

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In this episode of the EU Confidential, we entertain the idea of Donald Trump returning to the White House in 2024 and what that would mean: for the EU, for the war in Ukraine and for transatlantic relations.

The U.S. presidential election is more than a year away and Trump has yet to secure the Republican Party’s nomination; he's also facing a mountain of legal hurdles. But it's worth considering whether Europe is preparing or if it would be as shocked as it was in 2016 if Trump won again.

Host Suzanne Lynch discusses this with POLITICO’s Nick Vinocur and Majda Ruge from the European Council on Foreign Relations. Both our guests have recently written fascinating articles on that very subject:

Majda Ruge: Polarised power: the three Republican “tribes” that could define America’s relationship with the world

Nick Vinocur: Can Europe survive Trump 2.0?

Also in the episode, a riveting account of life in war-torn Ukraine from our guest Matti Maasikas, the former EU ambassador to Kyiv.

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Visa-for-bribes scandal rocks Poland — reaction and analysis Sep 29, 2023

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In this episode of EU Confidential, we discuss an alleged bribery scheme to hand out Polish visas, which is rocking the country just weeks before general elections.

Host Suzanne Lynch talks to POLITICO's Jan Cienski about the illegal scheme, which was operating from within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Warsaw, that allowed visas to be sold to thousands of migrants from Asia and Africa.

While the Polish conservative government is trying to minimize the damage, Brussels and Washington are asking for explanations. In the wake of this scandal, Germany has decided to reinstate border checks with Poland to curb migrant crossings. POLITICO’s Hans von der Burchard joins the discussion from Berlin.

Also in the episode, Suzanne speaks to Hans Kundnani, author of "Eurowhiteness: Culture, Empire and Race in the European Project." They continue to discuss migration and European identity more broadly.

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From the UN General Assembly — world leaders gather in NY Sep 22, 2023

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EU Confidential is in New York for the U.N. General Assembly, where leaders from around the globe are gathering to hash out some of the most pressing issues. Those range from the climate catastrophe to reform of the UN itself and Russia's war in Ukraine — it's the most action-packed week on the international diplomatic agenda.

To make sense of the big stories driving the talks at this year’s UNGA, host Suzanne Lynch is joined by Anne McElvoy – POLITICO’s executive editor and head of audio, who also hosts POLITICO’s brand new "Power Play" podcast. Don’t miss this week's inaugural episode featuring a wide-ranging interview on foreign policy with Keir Starmer, leader of the U.K. Labour Party and possibly the next British prime minister.

Later in the show, Suzanne talks to Werner Hoyer, who is ending his 12-year term as head of the European Investment Bank. They focus on the EIB's support for green technologies in Europe and beyond, and discuss the future of an institution whose leadership position is up for grabs. Will the outgoing president reveal who he's rooting for?

Finally, we bring you a conversation with European Commission Executive Vice President Maroš Šefčovič, currently serving as the EU's climate chief. He explains how the European Green Deal and its ambitious targets are faring here in New York.

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State of the European Union — the big annual speech and MEPs debate Sep 15, 2023

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In this bumper episode, we bring you the main takeaways from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's annual State of the European Union address, as well as reactions from members of the European Parliament.

The Commission president needed over an hour to highlight her key achievements and lay out plans for the coming months. Host Suzanne Lynch talks to POLITICO’s Chief Policy Correspondent Sarah Wheaton and together they break down the main points highlighted in the speech: the European Green Deal, the EU’s industrial plans, migration, enlargement and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. They also look for hidden messages and potential clues regarding von der Leyen's political future — did she hint she wants a second term as Commission chief?

Later, our colleague Eddy Wax, who covers the European Parliament for POLITICO, chairs a lively debate about the Commission president’s address with members of the European Parliament: Karen Melchior from Renew Europe, Eva Maydell representing the European People’s Party and Marc Botenga from the Left.

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It's back to school in Brussels — Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani Sep 08, 2023

Show notes

It's “back to school” week here in Brussels, so we're looking ahead to what policies will dominate the news in the coming months. Also, our special guest is Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani.

Host Suzanne Lynch is joined by POLITICO’s Sarah Wheaton and Nick Vinocur to discuss big European issues and events to watch out for in coming weeks. And there are many: the State of the Union Address by President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, the race to get the top job at the European Investment Bank, elections in 2024, migration, and, of course, enlargement of the EU bloc.

Then, we get the perspective from a leader of one the countries on the path to join the EU – Kosovo. We hear from its president, Vjosa Osmani, who unpacks the challenges Kosovo is facing, including tensions with neighbouring Serbia, enlargement fatigue and inertia on the side of Brussels.

Finally, we welcome our new Senior Audio Producer Dionisios Sturis, who is joining the EU Confidential team.

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