Brussels Playbook Podcast

The old global order is breaking down. Ursula von der Leyen thinks Europe may have to start building something new around it.

In her State of the European Union speech, she floated closer ties with Canada — even “associate membership” — and a new European Security Council, as Europe looks for new ways to work with like-minded powers in an increasingly chaotic world. But both ideas immediately raised questions about whether von der Leyen was getting ahead of her own allies.

Host Sarah Wheaton is joined by POLITICO Executive Editor Carrie Budoff Brown, senior EU climate reporter Zia Weise and AI and technology reporter Pieter Haeck to unpack what von der Leyen’s speech tells us about Europe’s search for a role in this new global “unorder.”

They also look at her climate message — heavy on adaptation to heat, drought and fires, but lighter on new answers to Europe’s energy problems — and at her attempt to square AI regulation with the need to keep Europe in the global tech race.

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

This episode was produced by Dionis Sturis and Saga Ringmar.
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Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney takes the stage in Strasbourg after Commission President Ursula von der Leyen surprised EU capitals by floating “associate membership” for Canada — a status that doesn’t actually exist, and that Ottawa itself seems reluctant to define.

Zoya Sheftalovich and Sarah Wheaton ask whether von der Leyen got ahead of both member countries and the Canadians, and what Carney’s speech could tell us about how close the two sides really want to get.

Then, Germany’s Friedrich Merz faces a potentially decisive weekend as pressure grows on his leadership.

And finally, why is the EU still allowing plastic waste exports to Turkey despite its own assessment warning of serious environmental problems?

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

Our audience survey is still live — we’d love to hear what you think about the pod.

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

In this special episode from Strasbourg, Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart give their first take on the State of the European Union speech delivered by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. They look at the push for a more independent Europe — from competitiveness to AI, climate, defense and Ukraine — as well as the ideas that could shape what comes next, including a European Security Council and a deeper partnership with Canada.

Our audience survey is still live — we’d love to hear what you think about the pod.

Questions? Comments? Let us know on our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is giving her State of the European Union address this morning ... her biggest set-piece speech of the year.

Host Zoya Sheftalovich is at the European Parliament in Strasbourg with her ears to the ground, trying to figure out which hot-button issues we can expect to hear about.

Two of the biggest topics we’re almost sure she is going to talk about are plans to limit social media access for children and the challenges posed by the artificial intelligence industry. These issues, alongside migration, climate and defense are all likely to feature in the top-secret speech — oh, and the Commission president’s surprise guests, of course.

We’ll be back later today after the speech is over to give you a snap analysis of everything that Ursula von der Leyen talked about.

Our audience survey is still live — we’d love to hear what you think about the pod.

Questions? Comments? Let us know on our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why is it easier for a jar of peanut butter to cross EU borders than it is for a European worker?

According to the Commission, varying social security systems and professional qualifications make it hard for Europeans to work outside their home country in the bloc. The EU executive’s Fair Labour Mobility Package — unveiled today — aims to fix that. On today’s show, Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur dissect the initiative.

Next, NATO allies are debating a tougher response as Russian sabotage and hybrid attacks creep closer to home.

And eight years after former Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker promised to stop Europe changing the clocks twice a year — why are we still doing it?

Our audience survey is still live, and we’d love to hear what you think about the pod.

Do you have something you want Ursula von der Leyen to mention in her State of the European Union speech? Let us know on our 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