Politics are driving a growing culture of secrecy at the European Commission, warns European Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly in this week’s... more

This week's episode of EU Confidential takes you inside the POLITICO 28 gala, where we revealed our list of the... more

Finally. After months of paralysis, the new leadership team in Brussels is up and running. Then again, the power trio... more

Romania’s presidential election delivered a TikTok-fueled political shock, with pro-Russia, far-right candidate Călin Georgescu winning the first round. His unexpected... more

While Donald Trump is filling out his top team, the EU faces a leadership vacuum. Thank Germany, where Chancellor Olaf... more

Europe’s energy system is entering a period of radical change. The net-zero transition will require a significant overhaul of our... more

There were 26 hearings and 72 hours of questions, answers and non-answers — and in the end, none of it... more

After Donald Trump’s election victory, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is breaking out the Champagne. Germany’s government, meanwhile, is breaking... more

For a fresh view of the U.S. election in its final days — and what it means for Europe — this... more

A vote that was supposed to be a slam dunk in favor of the EU turned into a nail-biter: barely... more

This week’s episode of EU Confidential is a show about nothing. As in: Brussels’ endless lame-duck inertia. Sure, there’s still lots... more

Buckle up. This week on the EU Confidential podcast, we’re talking cars. And a looming trade war. European Union countries are... more

In this week’s episode of EU Confidential, we tackle the complex forces shaping Europe’s future — where political shifts, migration... more

Volodymyr Zelensky has just four months. That’s the time left until U.S. President Joe Biden leaves office. After that, who... more

Live from Strasbourg… and Paris… and Berlin… and London, it’s EU Confidential. In this week’s episode, we catch you up... more

While Brussels has been obsessed recently with the “Draghi report,” that’s NOT the topic of this week’s episode. We will,... more

It’s been a particularly chaotic rentrée for Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. In this week’s episode of EU Confidential, we talk... more

In this episode of EU Confidential, we speak to Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Anne Applebaum. Her latest book, "Autocracy Inc.," explores... more

In this episode, host Sarah Wheaton is joined by Alessandro Ford, POLITICO’s agriculture reporter, to unpack how the prospect of... more

While the podcast takes a little break, we bring this insightful episode back into your feed — unpacking details of... more

On our summer break, we're bringing this episode from January back into your feed by popular demand, looking at a... more

Brussels might seem empty, but high-stakes games are afoot behind the scenes. From air-conditioned government suites (and the occasional vacation villa), leaders... more

Is American politics giving you whiplash? This week’s episode of EU Confidential has all you need to cope, with primers... more

Big decisions awaited the new class of MEPs this week: Whether to back Ursula von der Leyen for a second... more

Just days into his country's rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, Hungary Prime Minister Viktor Orbán again... more

France has voted and the results are in — our POLITICO team in Paris discusses the surprising results of the... more

Just days before the final round of France's snap parliamentary elections, we discuss possible scenarios for what could emerge from... more

Straight from the European Council summit, we bring you the latest news and analysis on a range of tough issues... more

Almost two weeks after the EU election, there is still a lot of political manoeuvring going on — both in... more

As the EU comes to terms with its new (sort of) political reality following last weekend's European Parliament election, France... more

As election result projections were revealed on Sunday evening, our EU Confidential team recorded a live episode with first reactions... more

As voting gets underway throughout the EU, we check in on the polls and learn which stories are dominating the... more

With just a week to go until the European election and the campaign in full gear, we're focusing on how... more

This is your essential (and entertaining!) guide to the upcoming European election — everything you've wanted to know but been... more

Ursula von der Leyen made a promise this week: if she secures another term as president of the European Commission,... more

As recent national elections in several European countries have shown, far-right voters no longer fit the stereotype of the angry,... more

It was a rare chance to see all the leading candidates from Europe's main political parties go head-to-head in a... more

Since the 2019 election this European Parliament has had to deal with various challenges, from Brexit and Covid-19 to the... more

In this episode we unpack the EU's new buzzword and the main point of discussion at this week's European Council... more

With just weeks to go until the European Parliament election, we're bringing you the state of play. Host Sarah Wheaton is... more

In this episode, we unpack the growing urgency among EU leaders to defeat Russia's Vladimir Putin. Remember the old Latin... more

As EU leaders received a stark warning about the climate risks facing the bloc, the European Commission caved to farmer... more

Portugal's snap election has brought seismic change — the Socialists are now in opposition and the center-right Democratic Alliance, which... more

On this bumper edition of EU Confidential, we take you inside the two-day European People Party's Congress in Bucharest. Host Sarah... more

With less than 100 days until the European Parliament election, we bring you the state of play. Also, we hear... more

As we mark two years of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we take stock of how the war has changed... more

Donald Trump has again sent shockwaves across Europe with comments suggesting that he would encourage Russia to invade NATO countries... more

Europe is waking up to the urgent need to strengthen its own defenses — especially as Donald Trump seems poised... more

As farmer protests continue around Europe, we unpack their various concerns and analyze their impact on the European election. We... more

In this episode we look at a crisis that is affecting many Europeans in most EU countries: skyrocketing rents and... more

After seven years of bitter wrangling, the EU has finally reached an agreement on how to handle migration — one... more

In this episode we look at the ongoing tug-of-war between Budapest and Brussels in the context of a rather shocking... more

This isn't just any new year — 2024 in the political calendar means mega elections in Europe, the U.S., the... more

Our last episode of 2023 is a bumper edition, reviewing some of the key stories that drove the conversations in... more

In this episode, we revisit the huge corruption scandal which shook the European Parliament and the EU bubble exactly one... more

This week, we take you inside our POLITICO 28 unveiling of Europe's most powerful people and unpack Commission President Ursula... more

Far-right leader Geert Wilders came out on top in the Dutch election this week, sending shock waves through Brussels and... more

Oil, gas and coal still made up 81.5 percent of the global energy mix in 2022 — down just 3... more

Ending months of political paralysis, we bring you up to speed on the turmoil in Spain that has left Pedro... more

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

It has been a big week for the world's key players in the race to regulate AI development and make... more

Coming to you directly from the European Council summit, our POLITICO team brings you the very latest on a range... more

In this episode, we analyze what Poland's recent election means for its political future and EU relations — in conversation... more

In this episode of EU Confidential, POLITICO's Barbara Moens joins us to discuss the EU’s muddled response to the heinous... more

In this episode of the EU Confidential, we entertain the idea of Donald Trump returning to the White House in... more

In this episode of EU Confidential, we discuss an alleged bribery scheme to hand out Polish visas, which is rocking... more

EU Confidential is in New York for the U.N. General Assembly, where leaders from around the globe are gathering to... more

In this bumper episode, we bring you the main takeaways from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's annual State... more

It's “back to school” week here in Brussels, so we're looking ahead to what policies will dominate the news in... more

EU Confidential returns from its summer break, bringing you this episode from the European Forum Alpbach in Austria where the... more

In this episode, we unpack what to expect in Brussels this August as EU decision making grinds to a halt.... more

We analyze the outcome of the recent elections in Spain and what it means for the country and the EU... more

In this packed episode, we explain the outcomes of this week's summit with Latin America, we debate whether Americans can... more

Governments around the world have committed to end HIV by 2030. The target is known as the 95-95-95 goals —... more

This week, we bring you the latest from Vilnius as NATO leaders wrap up a crucial meeting of the defense... more

There’s one key weapon that would be a gamechanger in the fight to end HIV transmission in Europe by 2030... more

This week's EU Confidential comes to you from Madrid as Spain takes over the six-month presidency of the Council of... more

Activists have worked for years to eliminate HIV-associated stigma. But within multiple European countries, people are still prosecuted for transmitting... more

Our slightly-later edition of this week's EU Confidential comes to you from on-the-ground at the European Council — where the EU's... more

In the first episode of our EU Confidential: In Focus mini-series on HIV in Europe, we take you inside a... more

This week’s EU Confidential episode comes to you from London, where the Ukraine Recovery Conference has just wrapped up. Ukraine may... more

This week's episode dives deep into artificial intelligence — and how the EU is responding to this rapidly developing technology. Host... more

In this bumper edition, we explain what's behind recent large protests in Poland, why some in Brussels want to stymie... more

This week's episode comes to you from the second meeting of the European Political Community in the Moldovan capital of... more

This week, we debate the EU's latest attempt to combat foreign influence with its forthcoming "Defence of Democracy package," which... more

This week, we dive into the political upheaval in Bulgaria and the resignation of the country's EU Commissioner Mariya Gabriel.... more

This week, the focus is on Turkey and what's at stake in elections happening May 14. We also hear from... more

As the EU defense industry gets the green light to ramp up ammunitions production, we hear from former Commanding General... more

"We have created the best Europe there has ever been" — so says Timothy Garton Ash, this week's special guest.... more

We're back from a break and straight into tackling the geopolitical tensions that underlie a sudden ban on Ukraine's grain... more

This week, Finland joins NATO while Ukraine's foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, joins us here in the POLITICO studio to talk... more

The worst strikes and protests in decades bring both France and Germany to a standstill this week. Is this just... more

Coming to you from this week’s European Council summit in Brussels, competitiveness and the economy are high on the agenda,... more

We debate Germany's last-minute effort to derail EU plans to end the sale of combustion engines by 2035. And our... more

This week, we debate a controversy over travel rules for top EU officials and unpack what the European Commission president... more

This week, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met King Charles III at Windsor Castle after a deal was... more

As we approach the one year mark of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the EU Confidential crew chronicles the historic... more

This week, we unpack some of the transparency issues plaguing the EU's top institutions, and our special guest is Eurogroup... more

Coming to you during Thursday's meeting of EU leaders, we discuss Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's (not so) surprise visit to... more

All eyes are on Ukraine as the EU's top officials visit Kyiv for a historic summit — the first to be... more

Our POLITICO team has the inside scoop on German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's long-awaited decision to send Leopard 2 tanks to... more

The EU Confidential crew takes you inside this week's World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland where the world's rich and... more

It's Thursday morning and today we bring you bumper editions from Davos with our final episode of the week landing... more

It's Wednesday, and we're back with another episode from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. POLITICO's Suzanne Lynch, Alex Ward... more

As the World Economic Forum gets underway, we dive into the stories everyone is talking about on the Magic Mountain. POLITICO's... more

From Davos, Switzerland, the POLITICO crew unpacks the big global issues facing businesses, governments and international organizations as top leaders... more

This week, the EU Confidential crew travels to Stockholm to examine Sweden's domestic political challenges such as migration, crime and... more

It's a bumper edition to start the new year as we look ahead to the big stories likely to dominate... more

Our final episode of 2022 is a bumper edition featuring the latest news and analysis of the Qatar corruption scandal... more

This week's episode comes to you from the Albanian capital of Tirana where EU leaders met with Western Balkan hopefuls.... more

This week, we debate simmering industrial tensions in the EU over a new U.S. law. We also get an update... more

This week, we debate how Europe is grappling with Twitter since Elon Musk took the helm. We hear from Kyiv... more

The annual gathering of G20 leaders in Bali, Indonesia was overshadowed by a deadly incident in Poland. A missile struck... more

On this week's episode, host Suzanne Lynch in Brussels speaks with Karl Mathiesen, POLITICO's senior climate correspondent, at the COP27... more

As Americans head to the polls next week, we dive into transatlantic relations and the impact these elections could have... more

This week, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg discusses how the war in Ukraine has shaped the military alliance. We also dig... more

This week's episode comes to you from the heart of the European Quarter in Brussels, where the 27 EU leaders... more

In this episode, POLITICO's Suzanne Lynch breaks down the reaction to Russia's recent escalation in Ukraine with an update from... more

This week's EU Confidential comes to you from Prague Castle, where leaders of the EU's 27 countries held a historic... more

We discuss the implications of Italy's election last weekend and what its probable next prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, could mean... more

Coming to you from New York City, this bumper edition of EU Confidential brings you the highlights of the U.N.... more

Coming to you from Strasbourg, EU Confidential breaks down this week's big EU moment: the State of the Union address... more

New host Suzanne Lynch digs into the EU's plans to address its energy crisis. And Canadian Ambassador to the EU... more

Europe's #1 politics podcast returns on Thursday, September 8 with our new host, Chief Brussels Correspondent Suzanne Lynch.  Every week, POLITICO... more

In this bumper edition before the summer break, we explain the monkeypox outbreak in Europe and the EU's response. We... more

We debate what the EU and its leaders can do to counter Russian propaganda, particularly in Africa, about the global... more

We dive into the politics of this week's hot topic — Europe's response to a devastating heat wave and how... more

Our POLITICO mobility team takes over this episode — unpacking the issues facing the travel industry this summer and what... more

As drama unfolds across the English Channel, we look at where things stand with the EU's migration policy and examine... more

Coming to you from the NATO summit in Madrid, our POLITICO team analyzes a packed week in international diplomacy and... more

Coming to you from the EU leaders' summit in the heart of Brussels, we discuss Ukraine's candidacy to join the... more

We explore more repercussions of the war in Ukraine, explain the latest dust-up between the U.K. and the EU and... more

We break down the controversy over a plan to unlock billions of euros in EU funds for Poland and debate... more

We unpack EU leaders' deal to ban Russian oil imports — with some notable exceptions after Hungary played hardball. And... more

This special edition of EU Confidential from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland drills into the question of whether... more

This bumper edition of Davos Confidential includes a debate on the death of globalization, the prospects of more countries joining... more

We hear exclusively from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the chance of clinching a sixth package of... more

This episode comes to you from the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland — featuring participants from business, government... more

We unpack Sweden and Finland's historic bids to join NATO, provide a POLITICO half-time report on the European Commission's performance... more

We debate some big ideas for the future of Europe and examine the state of Franco-German ties after recently-reelected French... more

We unpack the EU plan to ban Russian oil and wonder why Germany is so hung up on Ukraine's refusal... more

We take the long view on the success of Emmanuel Macron and the rise of Marine Le Pen, unpack an... more

In this special edition, we analyze the result of the French presidential election and its implications for France and for... more

We review the big clash between French presidential contenders Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen. And we unpack Germany's struggle... more

We analyze the latest from the French presidential campaign and hear Slovakian Prime Minister Eduard Heger's first-hand account of his... more

In this special edition, we unpack the results of the first round of the French presidential election, which saw Emmanuel... more

We preview this Sunday's presidential vote in France, discuss the latest Western responses to Russia's war in Ukraine and reflect... more

We recap Joe Biden's visit to Brussels for a series of summits focused on the war in Ukraine and get... more

We dive into the issues at the center of three Brussels summits dominated by Russia's war in Ukraine, as Joe... more

This week we examine China's role in the Ukraine crisis and unpack the latest EU efforts to bring the war... more

In this episode, we learn how the war in Ukraine is being reported inside Russia and unpack the confusion over... more

In this extended episode, we recap and reflect on the week that changed everything, for Europe and the world, after... more

This episode focuses entirely on Russia's war on Ukraine. We have reporting from inside Ukraine, news of the European response... more

We hear from our reporters in Moscow and Kyiv about the continued tensions over Ukraine. Our special guest is Heather... more

Macron in Moscow, Scholz in Washington: How did the French and German leaders do in their diplomatic missions in the... more

This week, a tale of two (very different) crises: the Partygate scandal threatening Boris Johnson and the continuing tension over... more

We take the temperature in the Baltics amid fears of a Russian attack on Ukraine and unpack how the U.K.... more

Roberta Metsola, the new president of the European Parliament, is our special guest. We also unpack French President Emmanuel Macron's... more

The coronavirus wave engulfing Europe and the West's standoff with Russia over Ukraine both feature in this episode. We also... more

We look at the big stories we expect to shape 2022 and suggest a few New Year’s resolutions for European... more

The podcast crew, Andrew Gray, Rym Momtaz, Matthew Karnitschnig and Cristina Gonzalez, present audio clips that sum up some of... more

As Angela Merkel bows out after 16 years, we focus this episode on Germany's new government and its chancellor, Olaf... more

This week: the Omicron variant and its impact on Europe's coronavirus response, our editor-in-chief on China's approach to Europe and... more

Austrian Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg, France's Europe minister Clément Beaune and Dutch political theorist and author Luuk van Middelaar all feature... more

This week, we get the American perspective on European strategic autonomy and other issues facing the EU from Derek Chollet,... more

In this episode, we discuss Europe's coronavirus resurgence and the escalating migration crisis at the Polish border. Plus, we hear... more

The COP26 climate talks, a top European tech entrepreneur and a return to the question of whether the EU is... more

We preview two big weekend events: the G20 summit and the start of COP26 climate talks. We also discuss liberalism... more

We talk to Péter Márki-Zay, the man chosen by Hungarian opposition parties to take on Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Also... more

On the agenda this week: The EU's plans to tackle soaring energy prices, Sebastian Kurz's resignation as Austrian chancellor and... more

This week: The EU's place in the world — and the Western Balkans' place in the EU. And we dive... more

We dive into the aftermath of the German election and take a closer look at Olaf Scholz, the favorite to... more

In a special show from Berlin, the POLITICO team analyzes Germany's cliffhanger election, gauges the mood in the different camps,... more

We explore the defining moments of the German election campaign and debate the security-and-submarine deal between Australia, the United States... more

Ursula von der Leyen's State of the European Union address and the closing stages of the race to succeed Angela... more

The German election campaign's impact on EU policymakers is up for debate this week. And European Council on Foreign Relations... more

We debate whether Afghanistan's collapse moves the needle in Europe's long-running dilemma over building up its own military power. Plus,... more

In the wake of the withdrawal of western forces from Afghanistan, the EU is confronting renewed questions about its asylum... more

As the Taliban consolidate their hold over Afghanistan, we have reaction from around Europe to the U.S. decision to pull... more

We have all the recommendations you need for reading, listening and viewing to make the most of your summer holiday... more

The devastating floods in Western Europe are our top story this week: We hear from our reporter in the German... more

The political repercussions of Euro 2020, a massive package of European climate laws, and the first economic recovery plans approved... more

Slovenia's awkward start to its EU presidency and a look at why Russia has France fizzing over Champagne feature this... more

We unpack last week's extraordinary summit of EU leaders, take stock of the coronavirus situation in Europe and bring you... more

Hungary's anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, France's regional elections and U.K.-EU relations are all up for debate. And we hear from European Commission... more

We take stock of Joe Biden's visit to Europe and what it means for EU allies. And our special guest... more

Joe Biden's trip to Europe, an interview with Germany's transatlantic coordinator, the European Parliament's strange return to Strasbourg, and a... more

Claims that Denmark helped the U.S. spy on European leaders, demands for the EU to step up on defense and... more

The Belarus airliner drama and EU leaders' response, as well as a big bunfight over farm subsidies, are up for... more

European attitudes toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the foreign policy of Germany's conservative candidate for chancellor, and a chat with former... more

European leaders' cool reaction to a U.S. proposal to waive patents for coronavirus vaccines is up for debate this week.... more

Is media freedom in Europe under threat? Is the Continent ready to open up as the coronavirus abates? And how... more

Recovery fund masterplans, a power struggle among EU presidents and a deep dive into next week's Scottish Parliament election all... more

The candidates vying to be Germany's next chancellor, Europe's Super League football flop and battles over people's personal data all... more

POLITICO's Matthew Karnitschnig has been following this week's dramatic battle to become the conservative nominee to replace German Chancellor Angela... more

The big preoccupation for the Brussels bubble this week was a trip to Ankara by European Council President Charles Michel... more

This special edition of the EU Confidential podcast reflects on the life and career of Stephen Brown, the POLITICO Europe... more

POLITICO's Andrew Gray, Rym Momtaz, Matthew Karnitschnig and Stuart Lau get you up to speed on recent rows between China... more

POLITICO's Andrew Gray, Rym Momtaz, Matthew Karnitschnig and Jakob Hanke Vela break down the Commission plan to give the EU... more

As the European Commission proposes a digital certificate to allow for safe travel around the EU in the corona era,... more