From Kate Day
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Dear readers
Happy new year!
I hope everyone had a relaxing and enjoyable holiday ahead of next year, which is expected to be every bit as politically charged as last year. You won’t hear any complaints from Politico Towers about the relentless pace of news. We are always happy that you keep us busy.
Below are some highlights from this holiday to give you a sense of what to expect in 2025. After a huge year of elections, many of the steps have been set, and we can now see how those in power, whether they are in government or not, will act. or if you are in a position to informally exercise influence, choose to do so.
Read the cooking tips that some of the greats of British politics kindly shared with London Playbook on Christmas Day. One of the things that gives us comfort in these turbulent times is that the protagonists’ surroundings… What struck me was how all the main characters remained completely themselves, despite the almost constant changes. . Of course, Kemi Badenoch thinks everything is better with butter and alcohol. Who would have thought Nigel Farage’s top Christmas tip would be to go to the pub? And Jeremy Corbyn is the only person you can trust to have useful suggestions for sprouts.
On top of that, enjoy the new season.
I wish you all the best.
kate
Editor’s Choice
The biggest battle heads to Brussels
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen heads into 2025 bracing for a flurry of battles between EU member states, with political tensions that are far less obvious. This story, based on reporting from across Brussels newsrooms, will help you get a head start when you go back to work. Read the story.
‘No one was fooled into voting for Trump’: Why the disinformation panic is over
When Donald Trump was first elected president of the United States in 2016, social media took much of the blame. However, this nuanced and insightful article shows how some of the more extreme narratives about disinformation have been discredited, and researchers in the field are yet to draw definitive conclusions. Far from it. Understanding the influence of social media on political choices. Read the story.
UK wants Brexit reset
The Brexit reset sounds like an exercise in doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. This is also known as the definition of insanity. We are about to find out that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s efforts to forge better relations with EU leaders are colliding with misunderstandings on almost everything that matters. Read the story.
2024 in numbers: From war casualties to global warming
Our data team has put together an interesting review of 2024, looking at the biggest news impacts of an exceptional year. Everything we covered, from the destruction of the Gaza Strip to the death toll of the Russia-Ukraine war and the aftermath of numerous elections. An eye-opening snapshot of this year. Read the story.
Meloni Albanian migrant camp turned into a ghost town
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s plan to detain and process asylum seekers in Albania was presented as a grand answer to Europe’s migrant crisis, but has run into a judicial deadlock as facilities remain empty and staff return home. It becomes. Smart reporting highlights the complex reality of Europe’s capitals’ increasingly desperate efforts to control migration. Read the story.
Estonian city at ‘end of the free world’ looks at Russia from across frozen border
A snow-covered border bridge between two medieval fortresses in the Russian-speaking corner of Estonia could be the start of World War III, says our correspondent, raising the possibility of a new global conflict. I am writing in this colorful dispatch from the front lines. Read the story.
Toxic slime and gassy trees: 3 reasons why Christmas is destroying the planet
The Data and Sustainability team looked past toxic toys, gas-filled Christmas trees, and all manner of food waste to spread some festive joy as only they can. That’s a bit strange! A Christmas Day article from this year’s POLITICO that may help readers make meaningful New Year’s resolutions. Read the story.
weekend playlist
EU Confidential: Holiday Special: Introducing JD Vance’s Amazing European Support Network
To kick off the new year, we’re sharing standout episodes from our sister podcast Power Play. EU Confidential returns next week, but for now, join us as we dig deeper into the rise of JD Vance.
From Hillbilly Elegy to Vice Presidential Candidate, Vance has come a long way since his troubled roots in Ohio to shape Trump doctrine for millennials. He has also gained notoriety for raising the temperature of America’s heated political debates. But Vance also has a philosophical side, shaped by a network of advisers and supporters on the other side of the Atlantic.
Host Anne McElvoy is joined by two friends who have seen Vance’s rise up close: James Orr, a professor of religion at Cambridge University and a leading figure in Britain’s national conservative movement, and a former columnist for the American Conservative Party. In conversation with Rod Dreher. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Anne will be joined by POLITICO Political Director and Senior Political Columnist Jonathan Martin to discuss Vance’s career prospects. Listen to the episode.
westminster insider
Westminster Insider is on hiatus, but our episodes are timeless. Listen to the catalog here or via the link below.
Power play: How big business is getting back on track with the Republican Party
As we ring in the new year, we’d like to share with you a recent episode from one of our sister podcasts in the US, Playbook Deep Dive. This episode is hosted by Rachael Bade and produced by Alex Keeney. Power Play with Anne McElvoy returns next week.
President Donald Trump’s Washington will attract big business executives such as Elon Musk, Scott Bessent and Howard Lutnick. Meanwhile, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which represents traditional business interests in Washington, D.C., has recently found itself growing closer to its longtime ally, the Republican Party.
In this episode of Playbook Deep Dive, the Chamber’s top lobbyist, former Rep. Rodney Davis, joins Rachel Bade to discuss how the Chamber is regaining dignity over the Republican Party and how it stands with President-elect Trump. Discuss whether you intend to collaborate with Listen to the episode.
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