Politico's Eu Confidential

They like America's traditional allies! They talk about multilateralism! Some of them even speak French! U.S. President-elect Joe Biden's foreign policy team has drawn rave reviews in Europe. We debate how much the hype is justified. And we look at the intense lobbying around two cornerstone pieces of tech legislation to be presented in Brussels soon. POLITICO's Andrew Gray, Rym Momtaz and Matthew Karnitschnig discuss Biden's key picks and their likely impact on relations with Europe. And as Biden picked up the phone to call world leaders in recent days, which Europeans made the cut and in which order — and does that even matter? We also discuss where Britain may fit in the new transatlantic order. Brussels is set to unveil key pieces of legislation on December 9: the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act. Our Technology Editor Nicholas Vinocur explains what's at stake. And he sits down with Jan Penfrat of European Digital Rights and Margarida Silva of Corporate Europe Observatory to shed light on

Hungary and Poland's block on the EU's budget and recovery package and a Franco-German clash over European strategy autonomy are up for debate in this episode. And we take a deep dive into climate diplomacy, looking at some new pledges and the impact of the postponement of the COP26 conference. POLITICO's Andrew Gray, Rym Momtaz, Matthew Karnitschnig and Lili Bayer examine Hungary and Poland's freeze on the EU's €1.8 trillion long-term budget and coronavirus recovery package. How dangerous is this crisis for the EU as a whole and where might things go from here? The panel also demystifies the public spat between French President Emmanuel Macron and German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer over European strategic autonomy and how much the EU should depend on the United States for its defense and security. Our special In Focus: Energy series continues with a look at COP26 — the annual climate conference that was set to take place in Glasgow but got postponed until next year due to the coronavirus. POL

The prospect of a coronavirus vaccine, European reaction to Joe Biden's victory in the US presidential race and a breakthrough on the EU's €1.8 trillion budget — it's all up for debate in this episode, featuring renowned virus expert Peter Piot. With Joe Biden declared the winner of the U.S. presidential race but Donald Trump yet to concede, European leaders are in an awkward place. How have they responded so far and were there any surprises in the reactions across Europe? POLITICO's Andrew Gray, Rym Momtaz, Matthew Karnitschnig and Lili Bayer get us up to speed — and Lili catches us up on the big breakthrough in Brussels this week on the EU's long-term budget and coronavirus recovery plan. Peter Piot, the eminent Belgian virologist advising European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on COVID-19, is our special guest. He spoke with Andrew just as news broke of a highly-effective coronavirus vaccine candidate. Piot talks about what the news means for our prospects of returning to normal. He discusses w

In the final episode of our pop-up series on the US elections, we share the key takeaways, looking at what we heard over the past 3 months and how it explains where we ended up. We also look ahead to looming Senate runoff races in Georgia, with the balance of power in Washington at stake. Ryan Heath picks over the result of the U.S. elections and looks back at the campaign to see which moments turned out to be prescient: from predictions of massive Democratic turnout via mail-in ballots to warnings on the need for patience in declaring a winner (and the likelihood of litigation over the result). And it's not all over yet. Even as the final presidential votes are being counted, two crucial senate seats are yet to be decided. Greg Bluestein, political reporter at the Atlanta Journal Constitution, joins the podcast to break down the two Senate runoff races in Georgia, where candidates must receive at least 50 percent of the vote to win an election outright. The outcome in January will determine the overall balan

In this special extended episode, we debate and dissect the U.S. presidential vote, looking at its implications for America, transatlantic ties and European politics. Even as the final outcome remains uncertain, the election has already told us plenty about America. It has exposed the extent of the country's polarization and made clear that Trumpism isn't going away — even if the U.S gets a new president. What does that mean for America and for Europe? And if Joe Biden clinches the presidency as seems likely, how will relations between Europe and the United States change?We assembled an all-star cast of POLITICO journalists including Andrew Gray, Matthew Karnitschnig, David Herszenhorn, Lili Bayer and Sarah Wheaton to debate these questions. And Ryan Heath joins from across the Atlantic to discuss his big takeaways from the election and suggest how the EU should handle a possible Biden presidency. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.f

In this episode of our pop-up series on the US elections, hosted by Ryan Heath, we give you all the details you need to follow the big night like a seasoned DC insider  — including what to look out for, where to keep a close eye on and what the polls are saying. POLITICO Intelligence Analyst Cornelius Hirsch and Cameron Easley, senior editor at data intelligence firm Morning Consult, explain how the polls are different from four years ago, what lessons were learned in 2016 and the key places that will indicate how the election will play out. Ryan rounds out the discussion with his guide for what to watch for, and key numbers to keep in mind, as results start to pour in. After election day, Ryan will join the regular EU Confidential podcast, which will be back in your feed as early as Wednesday to bring you reaction and analysis from both sides of the Atlantic on what the result means for Europe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/

Trouble in French President Emmanuel Macron's inner circle, the European Commission's move to boost minimum wages, and the battle to lead the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development all feature in this episode. POLITICO's Rym Momtaz gives us the inside scoop from the halls of the Elysée Palace, where top foreign policy advisers face accusations of fostering a hostile and dysfunctional work environment — allegations they flatly deny. Read Rym's full story here. And Matthew Karnitschnig explains why a speech by German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer is being read as a big reality check on transatlantic relations. We hear the pitches of two candidates vying to become the next secretary-general of the OECD. POLITICO's David Herszenhorn spoke with Sweden's candidate, former EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström, and Australia's Finance Minister Mathias Cormann. And this week, the European Commission proposed a law to bolster minimum wages around the bloc. It's a plan hailed by some as

In this episode of our pop-up series on the U.S. elections, hosted by Ryan Heath, we dive into the top debate moments of this campaign season — and explain how they've impacted the election. POLITICO White House reporter Gabby Orr explains the dramatic impact the first presidential debate had on Trump's campaign strategy, and whether he did enough to recover in the recent and final match up with Joe Biden. And with one week left, is there anything Joe Biden could say or do that would jeapordize his chances of victory? The regular EU Confidential podcast will be back in your feed on Thursday — and Campaign Confidential will come to you a day early next week. Our special Monday edition will equip you with everything you need to know in order to watch election night like a pro. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Political activity in a pandemic, transatlantic turbulence, the EU's farming future and what the hospitality industry wants from politicians to weather the coronavirus crisis are all up for debate in this episode of EU Confidential. POLITICO's Andrew Gray, Rym Momtaz and Matthew Karnitschnig ask whether politics as usual is possible in a pandemic, as more politicians go into protective quarantine or test positive for COVID-19. Matt expands on his recent article, Trump, Biden and the ‘f****** Germans’, while Rym gives us a sense of what French politicians are thinking about the U.S. elections. Our agriculture reporter Eddy Wax breaks down the key points in a battle royale over greening European agriculture, with a big chunk of the EU's budget at stake. Europe's top hospitality lobbyist, Marie Audren, is our special guest to discuss the pandemic's impact on one of the Continent's biggest industries — tourism. As the director-general of HOTREC, the umbrella association of hotels, restaurants and cafés in Europe,

In this episode of our pop-up series on the U.S. elections, hosted by Ryan Heath, we explain what is happening in America's suburbs — a crucial voting block for Donald Trump in 2016 — and particularly, suburban women. POLITICO's Zack Stanton, who's been looking into the changing nature of America's suburbs, argues that the story of suburban women is the story of the 2020 election. President and CEO of Republican Main Street Partnership Sarah Chamberlain and Meghan Milloy, the co-founder of Republican Women for Progress, share insights from their conversations with suburban women. They agree that the top concern for this group of voters is the coronavirus pandemic, a message which President Trump hasn't seemed to grasp. 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

The coronavirus is top of mind as we dig into the state of the pandemic in the EU, and ask whether leaders' handling of its resurgence threatens the bond of trust between governments and citizens. Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid is our special guest to discuss her bid to be the next secretary-general of the OECD and other topics. On the coronavirus, POLITICO health reporter Jillian Deutsch gets us up to speed on the EU's coordination efforts, and where things stand in developing a vaccine. Rym Momtaz and Matthew Karnitschnig join POLITICO's Andrew Gray to debate the political implications of the latest measures intended to curb the spread of the virus. Are leaders still "following the science"? Is the hodge-podge of different restrictions, often announced at short notice, risk eroding trust in political leaders? Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid tells POLITICO's David M. Herszenhorn why she wants to lead the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. She also talks about the digital economy

In this episode of our pop-up series on the U.S. elections, hosted by Ryan Heath, we dive into the myriad of lawsuits and legal issues surrounding November's elections. Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold explains how her state has successfully handled mail-in voting, and the additional challenges she's facing as a result of the pandemic and President Trump's rhetoric on voting. POLITICO campaign reporter Zach Montellaro breaks down other issues facing legal battles, from ballot drop boxes to poll watching. "This is will be the most litigious American election probably of all time, even before we get to Election Day," says Montellaro, warning that cases like 2000's Bush vs. Gore decision could pop up in as many as 14 states. 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/adc

Rule of law in the EU, mounting coronavirus concerns and Brexit brinksmanship are all up for debate on the latest episode of EU Confidential. Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders is our special guest to discuss the Commission's new rule-of-law audit of all 27 member countries. POLITICO's Rym Momtaz, Matthew Karnitschnig and Barbara Moens break down the state-of-play in Brexit negotiations ahead of next week's discussion among EU leaders at another European Council summit. And with cases of coronavirus on the rise, we take stock of what the situation looks like around the Continent. Our special guest this week is Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders. He spoke to POLITICO's Lili Bayer about the Commission's new rule-of-law audit of all 27 member countries, addressing criticism that it goes too far for some, and not far enough for others. 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, guest hosted by David M. Herszenhorn, we look at what's at stake for Europe and the impact on transatlantic relations. Former German ambassador to the U.S. Wolfgang Ischinger and Radosław Sikorski, Polish member of the European Parliament and former defense minister and foreign minister, discuss how the election is bound to impact Europe — can the transatlantic relationship survive four more years of Donald Trump? And what would change or, perhaps more interestingly, not change if Joe Biden wins? POLITICO Europe's Sarah Wheaton and Matthew Karnitschnig join David to debate Trump's impact on multilateral institutions and his handling of global crises. 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

As EU leaders meet in Brussels, we hold our own mini-summit to debate issues on the table in the European Council building — including tension in the Eastern Mediterranean and the EU's relations with Russia. Our special guest is Norbert Röttgen, who's campaigning to lead Germany's Christian Democrats and succeed Chancellor Angela Merkel. POLITICO's Andrew Gray, Rym Momtaz and Matt Karnitschnig discuss French President Emmanuel Macron's trip to the Baltics this week and debate his approach to diplomacy with Russia. We give you a primer on what's been happening in the Eastern Mediterranean, where both Greece and Cyprus are at odds with Turkey over maritime territory. POLITICO's Nektaria Stamouli in Athens and Assistant News Editor Zia Weise, formerly our correspondent in Istanbul, break down the key issues and how they affect the EU. Norbert Röttgen, chairman of the Bundestag's foreign affairs committee, talks to Matt Karnitschnig about migration, Russia and China. Röttgen sets out his vision for Germany's fore

In this episode of our pop-up series on the U.S. elections, hosted by Ryan Heath, we talk about America's battle for racial justice and how it's translating into political action. POLITICO's Brooke Minters and Eugene Daniels break down the key issues for Black voters in 2020, as well as their top concerns, and share their personal experiences — emphasizing the importance of honest dialogue and education when discussing the issue of race. You'll also hear from Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the biggest civil rights organization America. 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

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