The EU wants to be a heavyweight at U.N. climate summits. But upcoming elections across the bloc could upend those efforts.

As COP31 kicks off this week, Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart discuss how the populist surge across the continent could undermine the EU’s efforts to take a stronger leadership role in climate talks like these. Zoya and Ian discuss how domestic politics in France and Spain spell a problem for the bloc’s climate aspirations.

Next, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is in Bulgaria and Romania to show solidarity following deadly attacks in the Black Sea that have been attributed to Russia. But can the EU actually make a difference in the region?

Finally, while cyber experts were looking towards Russia last week, the French government is now blaming Iran for the cyberattacks targeting supermarket fridges. 

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Articles mentioned in this episode:

• Why COP31 may be the EU’s last great climate hurrah.
• Spain’s election favorites say Madrid must avoid ‘impossible’ climate timeline.
• Von der Leyen visits Black Sea states amid talk of shipping deal.
• ⁠Who’s who for Europe at the Ukraine talks in Abu Dhabi⁠.