Today in the EU

Why Macron’s bid to stay relevant is falling short

Today in the EU

Show Notes

François Bayrou's appointment as France's new prime minister is the latest in a series of questionable political moves Emmanuel Macron has made since June, which have increasingly put the president in a vulnerable position.

Outmanoeuvred by his long-time ally Bayrou, who used his political leverage to secure the job, Macron now faces a public growing all the more sceptical of his leadership. The new French prime minister, however, appears ready to move past party lines to guarantee the government’s survival. What cards is Bayrou prepared to play to lock in his power?

In this episode, host Giada Santana speaks with Paris-based politics reporter Théo Bourgery-Gonse to discuss how Bayrou outplayed Macron and what this means for the French government’s future.

More from Today in the EU

Feb 25, 2025

Today, the Commission unveils its rebranded Green Deal, signalling a new approach to industrial policy. The draft of the proposal obtained by Euractiv last week suggests a less-than-green path for Europe’s industrial revival, with a clear focus on slashing red tape. In doing so, however, it appears environmental safeguards may take a back seat.

Feb 24, 2025

Yesterday, fifty-nine million voters cast their ballots in what is considered a defining election for Europe’s future.

Feb 19, 2025

The first round of US-Russia talks on a potential Ukraine peace deal kicked off yesterday in Riyadh – behind closed doors and without a single European or Ukrainian representative.

Feb 17, 2025

Last weekend, Munich hosted the world’s premier geopolitical forum amid shifting alliances and rising tensions across country lines. In the Bavarian capital leaders convened to debate on everything from global governance to climate security. But the real question for Europeans remains how the ongoing war in Ukraine will end, and on whose terms after Trump held a “lengthy and productive” call with Putin last week. Will Europe play a role in shaping the outcome, or will it be forced to accept a deal dictated by Washington? In this episode, producer Charles Cohen and Chief Diplomatic Correspondent Alexandra Brzozowski go through highlights and lowlights from the Munich Security Conference.

Feb 14, 2025

Are you looking forward to celebrating the day of love? You’re not the only one. For food producers, the day is a test of how far consumers are willing to stretch their budgets. After all, chocolate prices have been skyrocketing due to a perfect storm of supply chain disruptions, climate change, and energy crisis. Only in December 2024, cocoa bean prices surged by 250%. How is inflation shaping broader food trends in Europe? And what alternatives to cocoa beans chocolate could we soon see? In this episode, host Giada Santana and agrifood reporter Sofia Sanchez Manzanaro explore how the food market is adapting to unprecedented costs.

See all episodes →