Who’s “European” — and who’s not?

We’re talking identity this week on EU Confidential — in more ways than one. First, host Sarah Wheaton sits down with Theresa Kuhn, professor of European studies at the University of Amsterdam, who has led a major research project tracking how European identity has evolved across the continent over the past five decades. At a moment when Europe feels tense, vulnerable and under pressure, Kuhn’s research suggests people in many countries may actually feel more European than they used to. But what kind of European identity is growing? Who gets included in that idea of Europe — and who increasingly doesn’t? They also unpack how wars, migration, crises and the rise of the far right are reshaping the way Europeans see themselves. Then, a different kind of identity question: the future of this show itself. Back in February, we launched the Brussels Playbook Podcast — our daily 15-minute morning show running Monday through Thursday. And now, the Friday edition is officially joining the family under a new name: Week Ender. There’ll be new cover art and a new sound … but the core idea remains the same: a deeper dive into the biggest stories shaping Europe each week. To celebrate this new era, we brought in EU Confidential’s original host, Ryan Heath, to discuss how the political landscape (and audio equipment) has changed since he first helmed the show. Questions or comments? Send a message to our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Who’s “European” — and who’s not? is an episode from POLITICO's EU Confidential by POLITICO.

This episode is 32:37 long.

This episode was published on May 8, 2026.

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