Brussels Playbook Podcast

The European Parliament has figured out how to pass controversial legislation ... just bypass the full vote of all 720 MEPs.

Today on the show, Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart discuss how cross-party leaders are worried that the plenary’s shifting alliances — particularly with the rise of the far right — could blow up legislation that expert lawmakers have already negotiated at the committee stage. The bypass method could come in handy for the EU’s next long-term budget.

Next, NATO allies are considering the biggest overhaul of their military planning in at least two decades — by prioritizing Russia and deprioritizing conflicts further away. We go inside the ongoing talks.

Finally, the EU today unveils its new Digital Fairness Act, which aims to help consumers online. But NGO Finance Watch says the proposal falls short when it comes to protecting people from fin-fluencers.

Have you ever fallen for an online get-rich-quick scheme? Let us know! Message us on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.

Articles mentioned in this episode:

NATO seeks to prioritize fighting Russia and shrink forces for missions abroad.

This episode was produced by Saga Ringmar.
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The EU wants to be a heavyweight at U.N. climate summits. But upcoming elections across the bloc could upend those efforts.

As COP31 kicks off this week, Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart discuss how the populist surge across the continent could undermine the EU’s goal to take a stronger leadership role in climate talks like these. Zoya and Ian discuss how domestic politics in France and Spain spell a problem for the bloc's climate aspirations.

Next, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is in Bulgaria and Romania to show solidarity following deadly attacks in the Black Sea that have been attributed to Russia. But can the EU actually make a difference in the region?

Finally, while cyber experts were looking towards Russia last week, the French government is now blaming Iran for the cyberattacks targeting supermarket fridges.

Questions? Comments? Message us on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.

Articles mentioned in this episode:

Why COP31 may be the EU’s last great climate hurrah.

Spain’s election favorites say Madrid must avoid ‘impossible’ climate timeline.

Von der Leyen visits Black Sea states amid talk of shipping deal.

Who’s who for Europe at the Ukraine talks in Abu Dhabi

This episode was produced by Saga Ringmar.
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Precision oncology and digitally enabled cancer care are transforming what it means to live with cancer. The number of people in Europe alive more than five years after a cancer diagnosis grew 41 percent between 2010 and 2020, to nearly 15 million. As science progresses, a growing number of advanced cancers could be managed as chronic diseases, like diabetes or hypertension.

But many patients are only able to access innovative treatments as part of a clinical trial, and Europe’s share of global commercial trials has almost halved in a decade. Access to screening and advanced diagnostics also varies widely across the bloc.

In the first of two special podcast episodes produced by POLITICO Studio, experts in oncology, clinical research and drug development explore how precision oncology works, how artificial intelligence can draw on vast pools of health data to develop new treatments and where science is heading next.

Guest speakers include: Fatima Cardoso, head of clinical trials, scientific affairs and international development in breast oncology at the Centre Antoine Lacassagne in Nice, France, and president of the Advanced Breast Cancer Global Alliance; Giuseppe Curigliano, professor of medical oncology at the University of Milan and head of the Division of Early Drug Development at the European Institute of Oncology; and Johanna Bendell, chief development officer, oncology for Pfizer.



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All eyes are once again on Ukraine this week, as a fresh round of diplomatic talks puts Europe’s future in the balance.

The continent’s focus will largely be on Ukraine as trilateral talks among the U.S., Kyiv and Moscow happen in Abu Dhabi. The stakes are high, as President Donald Trump’s promise of a “big, beautiful deal” that “might involve all of Europe” has capitals on edge. On the show, Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur unpack potential outcomes from the talks.

Next, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has a new adversary: French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen. If she takes power in elections next year, Le Pen wants to dismantle — or at least drastically scale back — the EU’s diplomatic arm, the European External Action Service. What could that mean for Brussels’ influence on the world stage?

Finally, European leaders are gearing up for their first joint meeting on AI, but administrative delays threaten to derail their ambitions before they get off the ground.

Questions? Comments? Message us on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.

Articles mentioned in this episode:

Marine Le Pen is coming after Kaja Kallas.

The Kremlin call: How talking to Putin exposed Europe’s deepest rift over Ukraine.

Putin may not want peace, warns Norwegian leader who spoke to him.

EU countries still can’t get it together on AI.

This episode was produced by Saga Ringmar.
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The Democrats scored a resounding victory in this week's U.S. midterm elections. But will their triumph actually change anything for Europe?

With the balance of power shifting in Congress, could the incoming lawmakers move the needle on issues Europe cares about, from tariffs to support for Ukraine? And what do MAGA's bruising losses mean for Europe's own nationalist and populist parties? Are they a warning for Europe’s far right? Or could the very issues that battered Republicans — affordability and the cost of living — end up propelling Europe's far right into power?

Joining host Sarah Wheaton to discuss this is POLITICO Europe's Executive Editor Carrie Budoff Brown, who also led our U.S. newsroom during Donald Trump's first term. We’ll also speak with Gregor Schwung, a reporter at WELT currently on the ground in Washington, D.C., and POLITICO’s Foreign Affairs columnist Jamie Dettmer.

Questions? Comments? Let us know on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.
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