EU Confidential
EU Confidential is a weekly European news and politics podcast published every Friday by POLITICO Europe. Each 30-minute episode features POLITICO’s analysis of the top stories driving EU politics, as well as notable guests shaping European policy and deep-dive stories from around the Continent. It’s hosted by Sarah Wheaton, POLITICO’s chief policy correspondent, who is joined by reporters from around Europe. Discover our show notes for EU Confidential here: https://www.politico.eu/eu-confidential-podcast/
1
No-confidence vote: Is the EU Parliament about ...
Ursula von der Leyen survived a motion of censure — but not without sustaining damage.
39 min
2
Boiling in Brussels: Climate fights and Orbán v...
Europe baked, the Atomium shut early — and Brussels finally unveiled its long-delayed climate target.
35 min
3
Of Daddies and Queens — from Trump to von der L...
This week’s episode of EU Confidential comes to you from the Europa building in Brussels. We’ve been covering not one but two high-stakes gatherings, starting with NATO’s June 24-25 summit in The Hague
32 min
4
What’s really behind Europe’s 5% defense push
As NATO leaders prepare to endorse a dramatic defense spending hike, Europe faces a reckoning: Where will the money come from — and will new tanks mean cuts to pensions?
42 min
5
All about the €€€: How Bulgaria’s euro dreams c...
Bulgaria’s big step toward using the euro is a victory for European unity — but the country itself isn’t united on whether joining the common currency is a good idea.
39 min
6
Can Europe’s Trump counterpunch work? Sanctions...
Trump is finally facing some resistance. Can Europe seize the moment?
37 min
7
Between a smack and a hard place — Poland votes...
Slaps were exchanged — some literal, some political — and suddenly Brussels isn’t just watching from the sidelines.
30 min
8
Leo Varadkar on Donald Trump, and the EU’s Isra...
The EU-Israel relationship is at a tipping point.
36 min
9
The crown slips: How queen Ursula failed her tr...
Those text messages Ursula von der Leyen didn’t want to share? The EU’s top court says that’s not OK.
27 min
10
Populist currents and fragile coalitions: Trump...
Europe’s political center is wobbling. Again.
28 min
11
How Trump transformed Europe in just 100 days
After 100 days of U.S. President Donald Trump’s shock and awe, is the EU still stuck in stunned paralysis — or does it finally have a plan?
35 min
12
A divorce and a birthday: Five years of Brexit,...
With POLITICO turning 10 and Brexit hitting 5 earlier this year, this episode of EU Confidential takes stock of two milestones that shaped Brussels — in very different ways.
40 min
13
Holiday special: Driving toward a trade war wit...
This week, EU Confidential is on a spring break — but with trade tensions between the U.S. and the rest of the world (China in particular) escalating, we thought it was the perfect moment to revisit a timely episode from our archives.
28 min
14
Trump blinks on tariffs. Can Europe exhale?
A tariff storm was brewing — and then, just like that, the forecast changed. Donald Trump shocked everyone by pausing his planned tariffs for 90 days (for all countries except China), throwing global markets a lifeline and leaving the EU wondering what game he’s playing.
26 min
15
Beautiful beef: Le Pen, Varoufakis and the hors...
What do Marine Le Pen, Yanis Varoufakis and Donald Trump have in common? More than you'd think.
39 min
16
Erdoğan, not Trump, is Europe's new best friend...
Ekrem İmamoğlu, Istanbul’s mayor and the main political rival of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has been arrested. So what is Europe doing about it? Staying pretty quiet, it seems.
33 min
17
Dirty games in Brussels and war games in Europe
A lobbying frenzy, secret perks, and now police raids. Huawei’s cozy ties in Brussels have exploded into a full-blown corruption scandal.
29 min
18
Can EU leaders handle a world on fire?
100 days in, Europe’s top leaders are facing a reality check.
35 min
19
The US-EU breakup—what does it mean for Ukraine...
This week’s episode of EU Confidential comes to you from Thursday’s emergency meeting of EU leaders — the political equivalent of sobbing into your pillow on a sleepless night.
36 min
20
Can Germany’s next chancellor help Europe deal ...
Germany has voted, and Friedrich Merz is now the chancellor-in-waiting. But can he rise to the occasion?
37 min
21
Germany votes, Trump attacks, Europe reacts
Europe suddenly has to do it all — all alone, all at once.
35 min
22
Europe’s future, brought to you by Putin and Trump
You’ve gotta hand it to Donald Trump — even when you’re expecting him to surprise you, he still surprises you.
35 min
23
How political is your pizza? The Mediterranean ...
Pasta, pizza, and Parmigiano — delicious? Absolutely. But in 2025, they’re also deeply political.
27 min
24
Your guide to Trump’s Europe envoys
Diplomatic credentials? Optional. Deep pockets and loyalty to Trump? Essential. As Donald Trump rolls out his picks for U.S. ambassador posts in Europe — think fast-food executives, Broadway producers, billionaire donors and family insiders — one thing is clear: this isn’t traditional statecraft.
31 min
25
In Trump's new era: does Europe still matter?
As Donald Trump settles back into the White House, all eyes—even in snowy Davos—are on Washington.
38 min