Brussels, My Love?
Brussels, My Love? is Euronews's weekly news podcast hosted by chief anchor Méabh Mc Mahon. In 20 minutes, it covers stories from the EU capital and their implications. The show provides sharp analysis from Brussels experts, drawing on the host's 15 years of reporting experience. It also offers a YouTube version and invites listener feedback.
Episodes
The economic battle between Brussels and Beijing
As tensions between Brussels and Beijing escalate, the EU is stepping up efforts to tackle Chinese overcapacity and pursue a strategy of "de-risking" its economic relationship with China. But what does de-risking actually mean? Could it lead to higher prices for consumers? And how close are the EU and China to a full-blown trade war? This week, Méabh Mc Mahon is joined by EU-Asia relations expert
An unusual heatwave with a sinister twist
From blistering heatwaves sweeping Europe to rising security tensions along the Baltic border, this week’s episode dives into the stories keeping officials in Brussels awake at night. We unpack the climate warnings behind Western Europe’s record-breaking temperatures, the growing pressure on Europe’s food systems, and the intensifying hybrid threats facing NATO’s eastern flank. Our panel includes
Wait… Are we talking about Brexit again?
Nearly a decade after the referendum, Britain is arguing about Brexit all over again. Was it a historic mistake, a necessary act of sovereignty, or something the country still hasn’t fully understood? Host Méabh Mc Mahon unpacks why the debate has returned and what is the view from Brussels with guests Dharmendra Kanani, Natalie Sarkic-Todd and Euronews' politics correspondent Stefan Grobe.Br
Hungary after Viktor Orbán: How 16 years vanished in 30 days
After 16 years of Viktor Orbán’s rule, Hungary suddenly feels like a different country. The billboards are gone, the propaganda machine has fallen silent, and new Prime Minister Péter Magyar is promising sweeping change. This week on Euronews’ weekly podcast Brussels, My Love?, we explore Hungary’s political reset — and what it means for the EU. Host Mé
How the EU is juggling geopolitical turmoil: From politics to Eurovision
On the eve of Europe Day, Brussels, My Love? explores Europe’s place in the international stage with Tomi Huhtanen, executive director of the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies, and Shona Murray, Euronews’ senior correspondent. What is the state of the transatlantic alliance? And, are these geopolitical issues dividing or uniting the bloc? And, we look at the 70th edition of the Eur
Is the future looking bright or bleak for European workers?
On International Labour Day, Brussels, My Love? sits down with Esther Lynch, general secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), Mikkel Barslund, researcher at KU Leuven, and Clark Parsons, CEO of the European Startup Network, to explore the challenges and opportunities shaping the European job market and how these impact its workers. Brussels, My Love? is Euronews' weekly podcast
Should—and can—the EU change its relationship with Israel?
On Tuesday, Germany and Italy blocked a bid to end the highly debated EU association agreement with Israel. To comprehend the vote and its implications, Brussels, My Love? sits down with Martin Konečný, European Middle East Project director and Vincenzo Genovese, Euronews’ EU reporter.Brussels, My Love? is Euronews' weekly podcast hosted by Méabh Mc Mahon, giving you all the context you
The end of Viktor Orbán’s rule: What now?
On Sunday, 12 April, Hungarian voters cast their ballots in the country’s parliamentary election, ending Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's 16-year rule. Will Prime Minister-designate Péter Magyar be able to break with Orbán’s legacy? What does his party’s victory mean for Hungarians and the EU? To answer these and more questions, we talk to former Belgian PM and former European Council Presi
Fragile ceasefire, fragile energy system: How will Europeans cope?
The United States and Iran reached a fragile truce on Tuesday, after a month and a half of conflict in the Middle East. A serious peace deal is yet to made though. In this fast-changing context, Brussels, My Love? looked into the energy crisis arising from instability in the region with Frederico Oliveira da Silva, head of energy at BEUC, the European Consumer Organisation, Dimitar Lilkov, se
SPECIAL EPISODE: Brussels Naked: Books beyond the headlines
In this special Easter Sunday bonus episode, we step away from the headlines and into the world of books. Joined by Brussels-based author Irina Papancheva and correspondent Stefan Grobe, we explore life in the EU bubble — and the stories that help us escape it. From ‘Brussels Naked’ to political page-turners, it’s a conversation about switching off and getting lost in a good read.Brussels, My
Hungary gets ready to vote: Inside a toxic campaign
On 12 April 2026, Hungary heads to the polls in a parliamentary election that could have major implications for the European Union. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, leader of the eurosceptic Fidesz party, faces a challenge from Péter Magyar of the Tisza party—a former ally turned opponent. To understand what’s at stake for both Budapest and Brussels, we speak to Euronews EU corresponden
From Ljubljana to Copenhagen: A dramatic week at the polls
On this exciting electoral week for two European Union member states, Slovenia and Denmark, 'Brussels, My Love?' brings you ten takeaways from the two elections with EU politics expert Petros Fassoulas from the European Movement International. In Slovenia, 1,6 million people were eligible to vote in the parliamentary elections where then main fight came down to two men: the president of the Freedo
Is Europe's biggest political party shifting too far to the right?
This week on the podcast, we examine the major scandal facing the European People's Party coinciding with its 50th anniversary. Party boss Manfred Weber has been accused of working with the far right, despite a firewall meant to prevent such cooperation. We also discuss France’s local elections where the far right is making gains and could take control of some cities in the South of France. Sophie
3 ways the war with Iran is hitting Europe
Two weeks into the United States-Israel war on Iran, is the European Union ready to face the security and economic consequences of the conflict in the Middle East? "Brussels, My Love?" tries to answer this and other questions with political analyst Cornelius Adebahr, director of the EU Institute for Security Studies, Steven Everts, and Euronews’ editor-in-chief and former Middle East co
International Women’s Day in a time of war
While people across Europe prepare to celebrate International Women’s Day on Sunday, 8 March, women elsewhere in the world face growing uncertainty. The United States and Israel’s war with Iran, and the elimination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, have raised urgent questions about what lies ahead for women in the country. To answer this question, and to assess where the EU stands in terms
How activism is helping Ukrainians endure four years of full-scale war
“You can ask every Ukrainian, no matter where they were in Ukraine or outside, and they will remember moment by moment where they were and what they were doing the moment Russia started its full-scale invasion,” Euronews’ Ukraine correspondent Sasha Vakulina tells Méabh Mc Mahon. Alongside Marta Barandiy, founding president of Promote Ukraine and Katharina Emschermann from the Heinrich-Böll-S
Can the EU ever become a superpower?
At a medieval castle in the Belgian countryside last week, European leaders gathered to discuss competitiveness, deregulation, industrial policy and the future of the Single Market. In this episode, we unpack what this retreat was all about: Who’s pushing for cutting red tape? Who wants deeper integration? Is deregulation the key to the EU’s economic growth? Is “pragmatic federalism” the secret in
From Brazil to Brussels: What's the beef with the Mercosur trade deal?
Which EU leader would you choose for a dinner date this Valentine's day? And is the EU-Mercosur deal as big an opportunity as it has been portrayed? To discuss these topics, we sat down with Pedro Miguel da Costa e Silva, Brazil’s ambassador to the EU, Adélaïde Charlier, Belgian climate and human rights activist and Teresa Küchler, European correspondent for Swedish daily Svenska Dagbladet.Br
Rafah reopens: What’s next for Gaza?
The Rafah crossing reopened this week, putting the situation in Gaza back in the spotlight—four months after the Israel–Hamas ceasefire was signed. What comes next? Who holds the leverage? And where does the EU fit in? Lisa Musiol, Martin Konečný, and Euronews’ Stefan Grobe join Méabh Mc Mahon to break it down.Brussels, My Love? is Euronews' weekly podcast hosted by Méabh Mc Mahon, giving you all
Chocolate, wine, whiskey - the ingredients of the EU-India trade deal
Earlier this week, the European Union (EU) and India announced the signing of a landmark free trade agreement, which Ursula von der Leyen described as the “mother of all deals.”What does this pact mean for both countries? And why did the president of the European Commission’s outfit go viral? To answer these and more questions, Euronews’ weekly podcast Brussels, My Love? talked to EU-India ex
What a dramatic Trump U-turn in Davos means for EU-US relations?
After weeks of escalating tension, including threats of tariffs and even military force, the US president has backed down in the row over Greenland. Following talks with Nato secretary general Mark Rutte in Davos, Trump says a “framework for a future deal” is now in place that would allow the US expand its military presence on the strategically vital territory. But has the damage already been done
Iran under fire: Protests, Repression and the EU’s Response
Iran is in crisis — and the world is watching. As protests intensify and the regime tightens its grip, this week we ask what role the EU can realistically play here Euronews journalists Stefan Grobe, Marta Pacheco and Babak Kamiar from Euronews' Persian news desk look back at the last week of internet blackouts, shifting U.S. policy, EU sanctions, and whether diplomacy alone can make a differ
What does Maduro’s capture mean for the EU?
The United States’ military operation in Venezuela, along with the rising concerns about Donald Trump’s interest in Greenland, have made the world’s instability even clearer. So, where does the EU position itself? In this episode, we sit down with Svenska Dagbladet’s correspondent Teresa Küchler, EU lobbyist Connor Allen and Euronews’s political correspondent Stefan Grobe. Wa
5 topics that could shape Brussels in 2026 and why they matter more than you think
It might be a brand new year, but many of the same big questions are still sitting on European politicians’ desks. In the first episode of 2026, we talk to our expert correspondents to break down the five key issues that could shape the year ahead. Brussels, My Love? is Euronews' weekly podcast hosted by Méabh Mc Mahon, giving you all the context you need to make sense of the European Union (EU).F
2025: a turning point in the EU-US relationship?
Brussels, My Love? looks back at the key moments of 2025 in the Brussels–Washington relationship, from the European Union–United States trade deal to President Donald Trump’s administration’s National Security Strategy document released in December. Listen to the interview with Stefan Grobe, Euronews’s EU correspondent and US expert.Brussels, My Love? is Euronews' weekly podcast hosted
Brussels is broke and has no operating government, but does anyone care?
On this edition of “Brussels, My Love?”, we sit down with Belgian politics expert Lauren Walker. Born and raised in Brussels, she explains why the city has now gone 559 days without a government — and what that means for the people who live here, and for Brussels’ image abroad. With the region’s deficit forecast to hit €1.6 billion by year’s end, the stakes are high and in this episode we che
All you need to know about Russian frozen assets in 10 minutes
What are frozen Russian assets? Why is everyone talking about them now? What should we expect from the European Council meeting on Thursday 18 December in Brussels?The December European Council aspires to bring a final political decision regarding the use of Russia’s immobilised reserves to help close Ukraine’s 2026–27 financing gap. Brussels, My Love? sits down with Euronews' EU politics re
Brussels–Washington: Can the relationship be saved?
Elon Musk is furious with Brussels. The European Commission has sent him a fine of 120,000 euro for violating EU transparency rules on X. President Trump also piled criticism on European leadership this week marking a tense week for the transatlantic partnership. Is the relationship under serious strain, and what lies ahead? Brussels, My Love? sits down with senior adviser at the European Po
Brussels in shock over fraud probe - Can a scandal become a good news story?
A corruption scandal shook Brussels on Tuesday, December 2, when the EU’s former foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, and top EU civil servant Stefano Sannino were detained by Belgian authorities as part of an anti-fraud investigation. To delve into this story, as well as the ongoing talks to end the war in Ukraine, we are joined by Brussels' insiders Donnacha Ó Beacháin, Teresa Küchler and E
Putin’s Long Game in Ukraine: Europe’s Moment of Reckoning
This week European leaders were blindsided by a Trump plan to end the war in Ukraine that had the Kremlin's fingerprints all over it. In this episode, we take a look at Europe's role in ending the war in Ukraine and discuss EU efforts to tackle the acute housing emergency facing numerous EU countries. We are joined by Séamus Boland, an Irish farmer turned politician who recently was appointed the
COP30: Does it still matter, or is it just a waste of time?
Should the EU rip up privacy rules for the sake of AI? How did the climate talks in the Brazilian Amazon go? Why did Shein just open a shop in Paris? The topics we dive into on this episode of "Brussels, my love?" the podcast. We are joined by Chloé Mikolajczak, the Belgian Climate activist and influencer, Tomi Huhtanen, the Director of the The Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies and
Migration, TikTok and Chinese bots : Huge mess for Brussels
TikTok bots and foreign interference, more money for European artists and a migration pact struggling for survival - the topics we dive into on "Brussels, my love?" the podcast. We are joined by Garvan Walshe, the Chair of Unhack Democracy, Helana Hahn, migration policy expert with the European Policy Centre and Euronews' Stefan Grobe. Brussels, My Love? is Euronews' weekly podcast hoste
Brussels confused, candidate countries frustrated - is EU enlargement still possible?
This week, for the very first episode of “Brussels, my love?” the podcast, we are joined by Irish MEP Cynthia ní Mhurchú, Svenska Dagbladet correspondent Teresa Küchler and Euronews’ Stefan Grobe. We explore topics from climate dodging to money laundering to EU expansion.Brussels, My Love? is Euronews' weekly podcast hosted by Méabh Mc Mahon, giving you all the context you need to make sense of th
Introducing Brussels, My Love?
This is Brussels, My Love? Euronews’ weekly podcast that helps you make sense of what’s happening in the European Union (EU).From the economy to the climate and the EU's role in world affairs, join Méabh Mc Mahon as she breaks down the major stories of the week together with Brussels’ brightest minds.Subscribe now and join us every Friday, starting from November 7th.Brussels, My Love? is Euronews'
