This week: Ursula von der Leyen tries to tighten her grip on Brussels, Macron loses control of France, and Mario Draghi is crowned Europe’s next saviour.
Jacob Reynolds, Head of Policy at MCC Brussels, is joined by Pieter Cleppe (Editor, Brussels Report) and MCC Brussel’s Richard Schenk to take apart the week’s biggest stories in Brussels and beyond.
Ursula von der Leyen’s State of the Union Speech:
Brussels’ grande dame of centralisation delivered a speech obsessed with global threats, regulating speech, and “reuniting Europe”. We break down what it really means for democracy, free speech, and the EU’s future.
France’s Political Meltdown:
Another government has collapsed, Macron is in deeper crisis than ever, and France’s debt is spiralling. We look at what this means for the eurozone, Le Pen’s chances, and why the French establishment is terrified of voters.
Mario Draghi as Europe’s Saviour?:
Brussels elites are hailing Super Mario as the man to “fix” Europe. We ask: why is the man who caused many of today’s problems being handed the keys to Europe’s economic future?
Expect sharp analysis, no-nonsense commentary, and plenty of challenging the Brussels bubble. If you care about free speech, Europe’s future, or simply enjoy watching the EU elite squirm, this episode is for you.
0:00 Introduction. Jacob Reynolds kicks off the new season
0:24 What’s coming up. VDL speech, France crisis, Draghi chatter
0:41 Brussels “democracy” theatre and online speech plans
1:15 Speech aimed at MEPs, 70% about places not Europe
3:09 Energy policy, climate taxes, EV dogma
6:10 Speech controls, Big Tech crackdown, media spending
15:39 France in free fall. No-confidence, debt spiral, political deadlock
25:43 Enter Draghi. The “saviour” returns, record questioned
Credit to : MCC Brussels