Europe’s toughest migration plan yet

Brussels Playbook Podcast

POLITICO

Politics, News, News Commentary

4.4 • 202 Ratings

🗓️ 1 June 2026

⏱️ 16 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

The EU is edging closer to one of its most controversial migration policies yet: sending failed asylum seekers to return hubs outside the bloc. Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur discuss the latest negotiations over tougher deportation rules, why countries are already exploring potential deals from Albania to Central Asia, and why critics warn the plans could create offshore detention centers. Then: France's presidential race is drifting toward a scenario that many in Brussels dread, with far-right politician Jordan Bardella and far-left figure Jean-Luc Mélenchon gaining ground as the center splinters. And finally: Brussels wants Europe to build the advanced chips powering the AI revolution. But after years of falling behind, can the bloc still join the race? A question for you: How are you actually using AI? We'd love to hear what's working, what's not and what tools have become part of your daily routine. Send us a message or a voice note on our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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0:21.8	dot UK slash podcast to learn more. Good morning. It's Monday, June 1 and this is the Brussels
0:27.6	Playbook podcast. The vibe in Brussels today is impatient as EU negotiators make another attempt to strike a deal on tougher migrant returns.
0:44.2	Also on the pod, France's presidential race is drifting towards a real nightmare scenario for Brussels, far-right Jordan Bardella versus far-left Jean-Luc Melanchon.
1:14.3	And the EU is dreaming of an AI chip factory, but critics reckon it might be an expensive gamble. I'm Zoe Shafalovitch. I'm with me today as Nick Vinica. Hey, Nick. Hi. How'd you get into the office today? Did you scoot? I did not. How did you know? No, I walked here because they've taken my precious scooters away.
1:19.9	They barred me from using them along the main avenue I take to get here.
1:21.1	No announcement.
1:23.3	Scooter just goes dead halfway in.
1:24.8	This is like, yeah.
1:25.4	Who did it?
1:26.9	You know what?
1:29.6	I'm still investigating. Okay. When I find them,
1:34.5	they're going to be some words. Yeah, you're going to tell them what you think of them.
1:41.9	I sure will. One of the main things we're watching today, it's migration. Because the Parliament,
1:44.9	the Council and the Commission negotiators, they are getting back together tonight for three-way talks, trying to finalize the EU's return rules. That's the final
	...

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