EU Confidential

From Brussels and around the Continent the top European politics podcast.

Author: POLITICO

EU Confidential is a weekly European news and politics podcast published every Friday by POLITICO Europe. Each 30-minute episode features POLITICOs analysis of the top stories driving EU politics, as well as notable guests shaping European policy and deep-dive stories from around the Continent. Its hosted by Sarah Wheaton, POLITICOs 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/
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Language: en

Genres: News, News Commentary, Politics

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Notes on a scandal — will a fraud probe upend the EU?
Episode 483
Thursday, 4 December, 2025

Brussels was jolted this week by dawn raids and an alleged fraud probe involving current and former senior EU diplomats. Host Sarah Wheaton speaks with Zoya Sheftalovich — a longtime Brussels Playbook editor who has just returned from Australia to begin her new role as POLITICO’s chief EU correspondent — and with Max Griera, our European Parliament reporter, to unpack what we know so far, what’s at stake for Ursula von der Leyen, and where the investigation may head next. Then, with Zoya staying in the studio, we’re joined by Senior Climate Correspondent Karl Mathiesen, Trade and Competition Editor Doug Busvine and Defense Editor Jan Cienski to take stock of the Commission’s first year — marked by this very bumpy week. We look at competitiveness, climate, defense and the fast-shifting global landscape — and our panel delivers its score for von der Leyen’s team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices