Brussels Playbook Podcast

EU leaders arrive in Brussels for a summit dominated by two major debates: How far Europe should go in confronting China and how the bloc should shape its next long-term budget. Zoya Sheftalovich and Sarah Wheaton break down the tougher mood toward Beijing, the divisions among capitals and the battle over what Europe should spend its money on.

Then, they meet the four new heads of government taking their seats around the European Council table — and assess who could become the next ally, wildcard or obstacle on Ukraine, sanctions and Israel.

And finally, inside the Commission’s enlargement department, officials are turning to a homegrown AI tool to help check whether aspiring EU members are bringing their laws into line with the bloc’s rules.

Do you have a story about using AI for your work and it all going terribly wrong ... or maybe terribly right? Send us a voice note or message us on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.

Plus: On June 30, we’re celebrating 100 episodes of the Brussels Playbook Podcast. Do you want to attend a live taping? Click here to register for a chance to apply! 
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Ursula von der Leyen is only a year and a half into her second term, but Brussels is already whispering about a third. Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart examine what is fueling the speculation — from her sweeping overhaul of the European Commission to concerns that more power is being concentrated at the top.

Then, they explain why the U.S.-Iran peace deal has brought down oil and gas prices, but has not ended Europe’s energy worries.

And they take a first look at W, a new “made in Europe” social media platform hoping to challenge X with verified users, European data hosting and no bots.

Questions? Comments? Send us a voice note or message us on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.

Plus: On June 30th, we’re celebrating 100 episodes of the Brussels Playbook Podcast. Do you want to attend a live taping? Click here to register for a chance to apply! 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The fight over the EU’s next seven-year budget is heating up.

European affairs ministers are meeting in Luxembourg today to discuss the cash pot. Last week, the Cypriot presidency came up with concrete figures … but the backlash was almost immediate. Zoya and Ian discuss the main sticking points.

Next, one of the most useful diplomatic gatherings in Brussels for years has been the exclusive dinners organized at the U.S. ambassador to the EU’s residence in Uccle. Now, these intimate meetings are disappearing and diplomats are feeling their absence.

Lastly, things aren’t looking good for MCC Brussels, a think tank linked to former prime minister Viktor Orbán. The timing is awkward as the former leader comes to town this week.

This summer, we’re celebrating 100 episodes of the Brussels Playbook Podcast. Do you want to attend a live taping? Click here to register for a chance to apply! 

Questions? Comments? Send us a voice note or message us on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

French presidential hopeful Jordan Bardella wants Brussels to know that if he reaches the Élysée, he won’t follow Italian PM Giorgia Meloni’s path from insurgent outsider to pragmatic EU power broker. POLITICO’s Marion Solletty joins Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur to discuss her wide-ranging interview with the far-right leader — including his plans to confront the EU, his pitch to French voters, and what his rise could mean for Europe.

Then, Zoya and Nick preview the G7 summit in Évian, where Emmanuel Macron’s challenge is to keep Donald Trump engaged as leaders discuss China, Ukraine and the Middle East.

Plus: Brussels is banning shared e-scooters from 2027.

Nick feels it’s a terrible idea — what do you think? Send us a voice note or message us on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.
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Across Europe, political instability, fragmentation and polarization are increasingly becoming the norm. But how are governments tackling these tensions?

On this episode of the Brussels Playbook Week Ender, host Sarah Wheaton and her guests hone in on three countries: France, Greece and Denmark. Dialing in from Paris and Athens are our colleagues Clea Caulcutt and Nektaria Stamouli, and Jakob Moroza-Rasmussen, former secretary general of the centrist ALDE European political party, joins Sarah in the studio where he talks about his native Denmark.

From the EU farm funds scandal in Greece, to the upcoming 2027 presidential election in France and Denmark’s new coalition government, they unpack the biggest news stories from each capital. While every country faces different challenges, they also reveal larger trends shaping the EU.

If you have comments, do send us a voice note or message us on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.
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