logo
episode-header-image
Feb 2021
25m 55s

Super Mario to the rescue

ECFR
About this episode
This week, former European Central Bank Chief Mario Draghi was sworn in as the country’s prime minister and the head of a unity government and put an end to weeks of political turmoil. His cabinet is the third administration that Italy sees in less than three years. But how stable will this government be? What are the first challenges Draghi will face in his country and in Brussels? Will he be able to stand on equal footing with Macron and Merkel? Host Mark Leonard talks to Lia Quartapelle, Italian parliamentarian of Partito Democratico, Alessandro Speciale, Bloomberg Italia director, and head of ECFR’s Rome office Arturo Varvelli about what the Draghi government will mean for Italy and Europe.This podcast was recorded on 17 February 2021. Bookshelf:•“Pale Rider: The Spanish Flu of 1918 and How It Changed the World” by Laura Spinney •“The Ladies of Grace Adieu and Other Stories” by Susanna Clarke •“Passé, présent et futur de Mario Draghi : la carrière politique d’un technician” by Alessandro Aresu & Andrea Garnero in Le Grand Continent •“Mario Draghi l'artefice” by Jana Randow & Alessandro Speciale

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Nov 21
Trump's 28-point plan for Ukraine
<p>In this emergency podcast episode, <strong>Mark Leonard</strong> welcomes <strong>Jana Kobzova</strong>, co-director of ECFR’s European Security Programme, and <strong>Jim O’Brien</strong>, former US assistant secretary of state for Europe and ECFR distinguished policy fellow, ... Show More
30m 37s
Nov 21
The future of European air defence
<p>Europe’s most ambitious defence project is in deep trouble. Europe’s Future Combat Air System (FCAS), presented as the crown jewel of Franco-German cooperation, was meant to deliver a next-generation defence system ready to meet the demands of an increasingly dangerous world. ... Show More
26m 8s
Nov 14
The politics of migration and integration
<p>Across Europe, immigration and integration have become pressing political issues. The far right is surging in national polls, and debates over borders and national identity are reshaping party systems and public life.</p><br><p>This week, <strong>Mark Leonard </strong>is joine ... Show More
28m 32s
Recommended Episodes
Dec 2024
Can Brussels’ new power trio take on Trump?
Finally. After months of paralysis, the new leadership team in Brussels is up and running. Then again, the power trio of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President António Costa and foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas might already be out of date, ... Show More
34m 11s
Sep 2024
Qui sera premier ministre ? Récit d’une crise politique inédite
Voilà huit semaines que rien n’a changé, ou presque. Depuis le lendemain des élections législatives, Matignon reste occupé par un premier ministre démissionnaire, Gabriel Attal, et Emmanuel Macron tarde à désigner son successeur.<br/><br/>Ce ne sera en tout cas pas Lucie Castets, ... Show More
18m 50s
Sep 2024
France finally gets a new PM
<p>President Emmanuel Macron has named the EU’s former Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier as France’s next prime minister. Plus, Europe’s sustainable investment funds double down on defence stocks, and Ukraine ​President Volodymyr Zelenskyy carries out his biggest wartime cabinet r ... Show More
11m 55s
Sep 2024
Ukraine’s 4-month countdown
Volodymyr Zelensky has just four months. That’s the time left until U.S. President Joe Biden leaves office. After that, who knows what’s going to happen. And that means uncomfortable questions for the EU, too. This week’s edition of EU Confidential tracks the Ukrainian president’ ... Show More
38m 10s
Feb 2022
Episode #94 -- Marco Rocco and the Fragile Future for Italy and the EU
I discuss the future of Italy, the state of Italian politics and the context of a failing European Union with Marco Rocco of Mittdolcino.com, a finance and politics blog from Italy. http://www.mittdolcino.com Is Mario Draghi No Longer Davos’ Superman? https://tomluongo.me/2022/01 ... Show More
53m 34s
Mar 2025
Can EU leaders handle a world on fire?
100 days in, Europe’s top leaders are facing a reality check. Ursula von der Leyen talks about a new sense of urgency — but is she leading, or just firefighting? António Costa wants to unify the bloc — but can he keep Europe together on defense? Kaja Kallas vowed to sharpen EU fo ... Show More
38m 4s
Nov 2024
Scholz on the brink, Rubio in the wings: Europe faces the new Trump era
While Donald Trump is filling out his top team, the EU faces a leadership vacuum. Thank Germany, where Chancellor Olaf Scholz has been on the phone with Vladimir Putin and faces gloomy prospects in likely snap elections. EU Confidential host Sarah Wheaton is joined by Gordon Repi ... Show More
32m 24s
Oct 17
How to go from hero to zero, with Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel
French President Emmanuel Macron has gone from “Mr. Europe” eight years ago to the solitary man by the Seine. At the same time, ex-German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s legacy is also going through a sudden and sharp downgrade. How did these centrist pillars of Europe tank so quickly ... Show More
37m 8s
Feb 2025
US-Russia talks: What’s next for the Ukraine war?
<p>United States President Donald Trump&rsquo;s plan to cut a Ukraine deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin, along with his administration&rsquo;s shifting approach to transatlantic ties, has left European leaders uneasy. What does this mean for Russia, Ukraine, and the futu ... Show More
24m 22s
Sep 16
Has France become ungovernable?
France is facing a test for its latest prime minister. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu must steer the country through political chaos, debt, and strikes. Will he be the one to keep the government standing and guide France toward stability, or will the crisis deepen? In this epis ... Show More
22m 7s