Politico's Eu Confidential

The EU's new plan to handle migration is in the spotlight — Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson lays out the package and our podcast panel breaks it down. You'll also hear from Clément Beaune, France's minister of state for European affairs, on Turkey, European hard power and why the EU needs a software update. Ylva Johansson sat down with POLITICO's Andrew Gray on the day she revealed the new plan to tackle one of the most divisive issues facing Europe: migration. Johansson portrayed migration as a management challenge that Europe is eminently capable of mastering: "It's not rocket science," she declared. But does a retreat from mandatory redistribution of asylum seekers around the Continent mean Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has won the argument? Listen to hear Johansson's answer. POLITICO's Matthew Karnitschnig and Jacopo Barigazzi examine what's new and what's not so new in the plan, look at the politics behind the policy and sum up the early reaction from diplomats and capitals around the Co

In this episode of our pop-up series on the U.S. elections, hosted by Ryan Heath, we talk about how conspiracy theories have moved from the fringes of American political rhetoric to the mainstream. POLITICO reporter Sabrina Rodríguez sheds light on conspiracy theories targeted at Spanish speakers in the crucial swing state of Florida. You can read her full piece: "'This is f---ing crazy': Florida Latinos swamped by wild conspiracy theories." You'll also hear from two candidates, one running for Congress and the other for the U.S. Senate, who subscribe to different conspiracy theories including the QAnon movement, which we'll explore in this episode. The regular EU Confidential podcast will be back in your feed on Thursday — and Campaign Confidential is with you every Tuesday all the way through to election day. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We analyze Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's first State of the European Union speech. And Ronald Gidwitz, the U.S. ambassador to Belgium who's also the acting Representative to the EU, gives us his take on the issues that unite and divide his country and the European Union right now. POLITICO's Andrew Gray, Rym Momtaz and David M. Herszenhorn debate this week's set-piece event in Brussels — von der Leyen's speech on Wednesday to the European Parliament. What did it say about her plans and priorities for Europe, and about her emerging political identity as Commission chief? Ambassador Gidwitz sat down with David earlier this week to talk about issues including trade, China, Nord Stream 2, concerns about the U.S. elections in November and what a second term for Donald Trump could mean for European allies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of our pop-up series on the U.S. elections, hosted by Ryan Heath, we talk money — diving into why American elections are so expensive, and how 2020 is stacking up. You'll hear from Elena Schneider, a national political reporter at POLITICO; Democratic strategist Tim Lim; and from Ellen Weintraub, a commissioner on the Federal Election Commission charged with enforcing campaign finance law in federal elections. The regular EU Confidential podcast will be back in your feed on Thursday — and Campaign Confidential is with you every Tuesday all the way through to election day. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A European Commission reshuffle, the European Parliament's decision to skip Strasbourg and new uproar over Brexit all feature in this episode — alongside our interview guest Nick Pickles, Twitter's global policy strategist. POLITICO's Andrew Gray, Rym Momtaz, Matt Karnitschnig and Bjarke Smith-Meyer unpack Ursula von der Leyen's rejig of her top team. The Commission president selected Valdis Dombrovsksis as her new trade chief and nominated Ireland's Mairead McGuinness as financial services commissioner. The panel also debates the European Parliament’s canceled trip to Strasbourg next week due to coronavirus concerns. And POLITICO's Charlie Cooper breaks down the U.K.'s admission that its new Brexit plans would break international law. Nick Pickles, global head of policy strategy and development at Twitter, talks to POLITICO's Melissa Heikkilä. They discuss how Twitter handles political content and if there's a middle way between leaving controversial content online and taking it down. Pickles also talks abou

On this episode of our pop-up series on the U.S. elections, hosted by Ryan Heath, we explore the polarization of American politics and ask one simple question: Why has this happened? You'll hear from Kristen Soltis Anderson, political pollster and co-founder of research firm Echelon Insights, as well as POLITICO's Tim Alberta, who's been covering the Republican Party for over a decade — we talk about his recent piece in POLITICO Magazine, "The Grand Old Meltdown." The regular EU Confidential podcast will be back in your feed on Thursday — and Campaign Confidential is with you every Tuesday all the way through to election day. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A firsthand account of French President Emmanuel Macron's latest diplomatic push in Lebanon; the poisoning of opposition activist Alexei Navalny; and McMafia author Misha Glenny on the political leaders he calls "iron men" — it's a packed episode of EU Confidential to welcome you back from summer holidays. POLITICO's Rym Momtaz sat down with Macron on his plane as they headed to Beirut earlier this week. Rym gives us the inside scoop on the trip and breaks down Macron's risky mission to resolve Lebanon's multiple interlocking crises. POLITICO's Matthew Karnitschnig and Andrew Gray discuss how Germany and Europe will respond now that Berlin has concluded Navalny was poisoned with a nerve agent from the Novichok group. Misha Glenny, author of the nonfiction book McMafia that inspired a big-budget TV thriller series, is our special guest to discuss his latest project: A six-part Audible series, The Rise of the Iron Men. Glenny's definition of the iron men — they're all men, he notes — are populists who came to p

Our third episode dedicated to the U.S. election, hosted by Ryan Heath, breaks down the 'perfect storm' of issues — a pandemic, voting troubles and foreign interference — that have experts on edge. The last presidential election campaign in 2016 involved huge debates about issues like immigration, power plays over the future direction of the Supreme Court and ethics — remember Hillary Clinton’s emails? In 2020, it’s the election mechanics that are front and center of political debate. Laying out what experts are watching as this election unfolds is Garrett Graff, former POLITICO magazine editor, who recently outlined in the magazine "8 Big Reasons Election Day 2020 Could Be a Disaster." We also check in with disinformation expert Lisa Kaplan, founder and CEO of Alethea Group, about foreign influence tactics in 2020 compared to 2016, and with Ellen Weintraub, a commissioner on the Federal Election Commission charged with enforcing campaign finance law in federal elections. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priva

EU Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan's resignation, the "golfgate" controversy surrounding his decision and what this means for the European Commission is the hot topic of this week's episode. POLITICO's Rym Momtaz, Matthew Karnitschnig and Christian Oliver walk us through the twists and turns and reveal the real driving forces behind Hogan's decision to bow out. Our featured guest is transatlantic expert Dan Hamilton, who sat down with Matthew Karnitschnig in Berlin to discuss the current state of U.S. relations with Germany and the EU, and what November's presidential election could mean for future relations with Europe and NATO. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We take you to the Republican National Convention (RNC) in this episode of our pop-up podcast series on the U.S. elections, hosted by Ryan Heath, and break down what is motivating Trump voters in 2020 — including in key states like Pennsylvania. We also examine the part played by party conventions at the heart of America's political process. Alongside highlights from the RNC, you'll hear from Meridith McGraw, White House reporter at POLITICO; Tony Fratto, communications strategist and former deputy press secretary to President George W. Bush; and Daniel Twining, president of the International Republican Institute. We'll publish a new episode in this pop-up series every Tuesday until Election Day. And, of course, EU Confidential will be back this and every Thursday as usual. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The EU's approach to the Belarus crisis and a new transatlantic battle over sanctions on Iran are up for debate in this week's episode, while Germany's Environment Minister Svenja Schulze sets out her plans to steer EU climate policy. Security forces in Belarus have cracked down violently on protesters who took to the streets after strongman Alexander Lukashenko claimed reelection as president in a vote widely condemned as fraudulent. POLITICO's Andrew Gray in Brussels and Matthew Karnitschnig in Berlin are joined by Jan Cienski in Warsaw to analyze the EU's handling of the crisis, as it seeks to show solidarity with the protesters but avoid a confrontation with Russia. We also get a firsthand report from Belarus from POLITICO contributor Sergei Kuznetsov. The panel also examines U.S. plans to put Europe in a tight spot by triggering a U.N. process to re-impose sanctions on Tehran. On the climate front, POLITICO's Kalina Oroschakoff talks us through her recent interview with Svenja Schulze, who's trying to ge

Our pop-up podcast series on the U.S. elections, hosted by Ryan Heath, kicks off at the (mostly-virtual) Democratic National Convention, and dives into the current debate over voting by mail and the challenges of voting from abroad. You'll hear from former U.S. Secretary of State and ex-presidential candidate John Kerry; Julia Bryan, chair of Democrats Abroad; Kelley Robinson, executive director for Planned Parenthood Action Fund; Ben Wikler, Wisconsin Democratic party state chair; Moe Vela,  director of administration for Joe Biden when he was vice president; and POLITICO's Chief Washington Correspondent Ryan Lizza. We'll publish a new episode in this pop-up series every Tuesday until election day. And, of course, EU Confidential will be back this and every Thursday as usual. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A foretaste of our brand new podcast on the U.S. elections, hosted by POLITICO's Ryan Heath.  Starting on Tuesday August 18, Ryan and guests will combine in-depth knowledge of the American political scene with an outsider's perspective to explore what the elections mean for the U.S., Europe and the world. A new episode of Campaign Confidential will arrive every Tuesday until election day. And, of course, EU Confidential will still be with you as usual every Thursday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From Brussels, Berlin, Paris and London — Europe’s premier political podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fears of a coronavirus second wave, a campaign for gender equality at the top of the EU, and the U.S. presidential election all feature in this week's episode. After weeks of intense debate over the economic response to the pandemic, the focus in Europe is shifting back to the worrying health situation. POLITICO's Andrew Gray and Rym Momtaz are joined by Senior Health Reporter Sarah Wheaton to discuss the growing number of cases around the Continent and new restrictions being imposed as a result. They also talk about how the EU is faring in the worldwide race for a vaccine. Our special guest is Austrian MEP Evelyn Regner, who spoke with POLITICO's Cristina Gonzalez and Maïa de La Baume about her push for gender parity among candidates to run the European Banking Authority. Regner argues that structural changes in how candidates are selected are necessary, and that gender quotas are the only solution to ensure women get a fair shot. We also check in with POLITICO's Ryan Heath to hear about his new series comin

The POLITICO  team breaks down the details — and the drama — behind the deal struck by EU leaders on a €1.82 trillion financial package during a historic five-day summit in Brussels. Using audio clips from key players and drawing on behind-the-scenes reporting, POLITICO's Lili Bayer, Andrew Gray, David M. Herszenhorn and Rym Momtaz talk through the deals within the deal and the tensions among the leaders as they struggled to agree on an EU budget and coronavirus recovery fund. It's a must-listen episode for anyone wanting the inside scoop on how history was made. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The EU's budget and recovery plan, the Polish election outcome and the "tribalization" of Europe are all up for debate in this week's episode. POLITICO's Lili Bayer has the latest take on where things stand as EU leaders gather at the negotiating table to wrangle over the budget and recovery package. It's an unusual summit with no reporters, no handshakes and some €1.8 trillion at stake. If a deal is struck, we'll bring you a special extra edition of the podcast to break down exactly what it all means. Polish President Andrzej Duda won reelection by a slim margin on Sunday. POLITICO's Andrew Gray, Rym Momtaz and Matthew Karnitschnig debate what his victory means for Poland and the EU. Marlene Wind, professor of politics at the University of Copenhagen, is our special guest to discuss her new book "The Tribalization of Europe." The book explores movements across the Continent that have "pulled up the drawbridge" in recent years, according to Wind, leaving the European project in jeopardy. Wind argues the EU ne

Emmanuel Macron's reshuffle, Angela Merkel's Brussels trip and Europe's approach to China all feature in this week's episode, as well as an interview with the EU's first chief prosecutor. POLITICO's France Correspondent Rym Momtaz analyzes Macron's government rejig and explains why it has been met with more shrugs than smiles. The podcast crew discusses Merkel's address to the European Parliament and her meetings with top EU officials as they push for a recovery fund deal at next week's summit. We also look at where the EU and U.K. are heading on China, as they face pressure to react to Beijing's growing power over Hong Kong. Laura Codruța Kövesi, the head of the new European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO), is this week's special guest. Kövesi talks to POLITICO's Lili Bayer about the role of the new organization and her previous job as the top prosecutor at Romania's National Anticorruption Directorate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit me

A Green wave in France, the speaking styles of Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron, and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić all feature in this week's podcast. POLITICO's Rym Momtaz in Paris explains what Green wins in local polls mean for Macron, while Matthew Karnitschnig gives us the perspective from Berlin on the Continent's Green shift in recent elections. A joint press conference from Merkel and Macron this week highlighted their contrasting approaches to communication. Merkel kept things concise while Macron, the guest, hogged the clock with a 9-minute opening speech. The podcast panel debates whether it's all down to cultural differences, personal preferences, or just bad manners. Vučić spoke to POLITICO's Andrew Gray and Jacopo Barigazzi during a recent visit to Brussels. The Serbian president discussed thwarted plans for a White House meeting with leaders from Kosovo and prospects for further peace talks. He also responded to criticism of last month's parliamentary election in Serbia, in which his part

The podcast crew marks your political calendar with previews of elections in France and Poland as well as Germany's presidency of the EU Council. Rym Momtaz in Paris looks ahead to Sunday's second round of French local elections and discusses the stakes for President Emmanuel Macron. Zosia Wanat gives us the lowdown on Polish President Andrzej Duda's re-election bid, hot on the heels of his visit to the White House, and brings us some audio treats from the campaign. From Berlin, Matthew Karnitschnig sets out Germany's aims as it takes over the EU's rotating presidency on July 1, seeking deals on the bloc's recovery fund and long-term budget as well as on future relations with the U.K. The EU's Transport Commissioner Adina Vălean is our special guest, interviewed by POLITICO mobility reporters Joshua Posaner and Hanne Cokelaere. Vălean has been at the forefront of some big coronavirus battles in Brussels lately, including over whether customers should get vouchers or refunds for canceled flights. Vălean also r