Dear readers,
Today we launch a new cousin of this newsletter, Le Weekly, the week’s news as it looks from Paris, written by our Executive Editor for France Nicholas Barré. You can sign up here.
I’d love to say we timed it to launch just ahead of one of the most dramatic showdowns in French politics. Though that might not quite be true, we’ve certainly spent much of the week discussing the debt crisis (messy) and Macron’s options (few). A couple of highlights of the week from our excellent French coverage below.
It was also a milestone week for us at POLITICO in Europe, with six new hires about to arrive. We’re very excited to welcome Carrie Budoff Brown, one of the founders of POLITICO Europe and an outstanding journalistic leader, who will start leading our Brussels newsroom this coming week.
Zoya Sheftalovich, another original from our early days in Brussels back in 2015, will relocate from Australia where she has spent the last few years and return to Brussels to take up the role of Chief EU Correspondent. Zoya has been a secret weapon editing Brussels and London Playbooks and is a tenacious reporter, full of energy. I have no doubt you will see her around town very soon.
Gerardo Fortuna is also about to join us, in his case from Euronews. He will join our Brussels Playbook team, writing your favorite morning newsletter alongside Nick Vinocur and Sarah Wheaton. I’m sure the Brussels-based among you will know him for his scoops.
In London, Allison Hoffman will add to our editing ranks, joining us from CNN and taking on a new role of Transatlantic Editor. In this era of huge political disruption, Allison will bring deep knowledge of American policy and politics and connect it to our reporting teams across Europe. Alongside Allison, Stephen Fidler will take up an interim assignment to help us build a standards function for our European newsrooms to ensure accuracy, rigor and fairness remain strong as we grow. Stephen worked previously for the Wall Street Journal, FT and Reuters for many years and brings a wealth of experience covering Europe.
Last but by no means least, we’re delighted to welcome Gavin Sundwall who joins our management team in Brussels as Executive Director of Communications, Europe. Gavin comes to us from the U.S. Embassy in Brussels and I can’t imagine a more thoughtful, expert partner to help us maximize the impact of our journalism and shape our story in the heart of the EU.
Wishing you all a restful weekend,
Kate Day
EDITOR’S CHOICE
Marine Le Pen seizes her moment to shake France
A must read ahead of a vote of no confidence in Prime Minister François Bayrou on Sept. 8. The far-right leader is out to bring down the government and press for new elections. Read the story.
Who is Sébastien Lecornu? France’s political ‘survivor’ — and possible next PM
The armed forces minister is one of the front-runners to be the next French prime minister. Read the story.
The controversial Georgian mine fueling Europe’s new industrial arms race
A troubled manganese mine in the former Soviet state is exposing the European Union’s double standards on environmental and worker protections. Read the story.
Von der Leyen’s GPS scare gripped Europe. The Russia allegations are starting to unravel.
Deeply-reported look at what really happened to the European Commission President’s plane. Read the story.
Fed-up Englanders are hanging flags everywhere — cheered on by the far right
National flags are appearing on flyovers and lampposts across the country amid a wave of anti-migrant protests. Should mainstream politicians embrace the symbols? Read the story.
EU to present internal fix to Mercosur trade deal to appease France
The tweak seeks to make EU skeptics, led by France, more amenable to the Latin America trade accord. Read the story.
The UK government is prepping for superhuman AI. Businesses have bigger problems.
Britain’s Technology Secretary Peter Kyle says superhuman AI will be here by 2034. Others aren’t so sure. Read the story.
YOUR WEEKEND PLAYLIST
EU Confidential: Tyrants are forever: Has Europe missed its moment?
Under the jackhammers on Schuman, Brussels is filling back up for the rentrée — and the fault lines are showing.
Host Sarah Wheaton is joined by colleagues Clea Caulcutt, Nick Vinocur and Paul Dallison to unpack a cliff-edge week.
Westminster Insider: Can Britain have a proper Green Party?
Zack Polanski, the self-confessed eco-populist, won the leadership of the Green Party in a landslide this week. So Westminster Insider Host Sascha O’Sullivan finds out why the Green Party have often struggled to be taken seriously in SW1.
DECLASSIFIED
Read this week’s Declassified column.
Caption competition
“What’s for dessert?”
“We’re sitting at it.”
Can you do better? Email us at [email protected] or get in touch on X @POLITICOEurope.
Last week, we gave you this photo:
Thanks for all the entries. Here’s the best from our postbag — there’s no prize except for the gift of laughter, which I think we can all agree is far more valuable than cash or booze.
“No, I’m not taking questions; just waving adieu.”
by Gustavo Szulansky
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