Brussels Playbook Podcast

The Spanish exclave of Ceuta on the North African coast is struggling to deal with a surge of unauthorized migrants. Over 70,000 arrived in a mass crossing from Morocco at the end of July, and although the numbers have fallen since then, police and the authorities are struggling with outbreaks of violence and criminality. Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has faced protests in cities across the country, and the crisis poses a challenge for the European Union’s borders. Host Anne McElvoy talks to Tim Röhn, Senior Editor of the Axel Springer Global Reporters Network, who has reported extensively from Ceuta for POLITICO.

Also on the podcast, could the far-right be on the verge of an electoral breakthrough in Germany? This weekend’s election in the Eastern German state of Saxony-Anhalt could result in the Alternative for Germany forming a government, the first time a far-right party has tasted power since the Second World War. Anne has been on the road in the state, writing about how two chancellors, Merz and Merkel, have lost the old East. She's joined by Josef Forster, BILD’s politics editor, on what might follow for Germany's leadership.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At the informal General Affairs Council in Dublin today, the EU’s next 7-year budget is set to dominate the agenda.

The talks are still in deadlock over the size of the money pot ... but the red lines of various capitals are starting to take shape. On today’s episode, host Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart explain why — counterintuitively — that’s actually a step forward for the negotiations.

Next, the pivotal regional election in Germany’s Saxony-Anhalt is just days away ... and the far-right AfD party is poised to win big. But just how big? And what would the party do if it manages to come to power?

Finally, the EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, is considering a council of elders to help with the reform of the bloc’s foreign policy arm, the EEAS. Who do you think should be part of an expert group like this? Get in touch on WhatsApp here, or at +32 491 05 06 29.

This episode was produced by Dionis Sturis and Saga Ringmar.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The political center in the European Parliament is looking increasingly fragile. Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart look at a proposal from two senior German MEPs for the center-right EPP and the Social Democrats to strike a much more formal deal — as relations between the two groups deteriorate and the far right gains influence.

Then: Europe says it needs giant data centers if it wants to compete in the AI boom. But who pays for them — and what happens when one arrives in your town? We look at the millions of euros governments are being asked to commit to Europe’s AI ambitions, and at the resistance to a massive Google data center in Austria.

Plus, should the European Commission just be on TikTok if it wants to reach younger voters — or is trying to look young and hip more trouble than it’s worth?

Question? Comment? Get in touch on WhatsApp here, or at +32 491 05 06 29.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brussels is getting increasingly worried about its economic relationship with Beijing ... but the bloc doesn’t want to bring out the big guns just yet.

While the EU already has the infamous 'trade bazooka' at its disposal, the Commission is considering a new tool to address Chinese overcapacity and dangerous dependencies. Our colleague Camille Gijs has spoken with EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič to learn more. Hosts Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart discuss what he said in the interview.

Next, EU defense ministers are meeting in Ireland today, and Ukraine is right at the top of the agenda. The big question will be whether the bloc can help ease Kyiv’s shortage of missile interceptors.

And finally, is Europe’s most prominent right-wing think tank, MCC Brussels, imploding ... or is it morphing into something new?

Question? Comment? Get in touch on WhatsApp here, or at +32 491 05 06 29.

This episode was produced by Dionis Sturis and Saga Ringmar.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Iceland has voted no to restarting membership talks with the EU in a referendum held over the weekend.

While the yes camp had hoped rising global geopolitical tensions might sway voters, the fear of losing control over Icelandic fishing quotas proved decisive. So what does this result mean for the EU’s enlargement ambitions? Nick and Zoya discuss.

Next, defense and foreign ministers prepare to meet in Ireland this week to talk Russia sanctions, support for Ukraine ... and overhauling the EU’s diplomatic arm.

And finally, move aside Italy, Greek coffee is making it big in Brussels.

Do you have any favorite coffee shops in Brussels that we failed to mention on the show? Get in touch on WhatsApp here, or at +32 491 05 06 29.

This episode was produced by Saga Ringmar.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices