POLITICO's EU Confidential POLITICO

Fears of a coronavirus second wave, a campaign for gender equality at the top of the EU, and the U.S. presidential election all feature in this week's episode.

After weeks of intense debate over the economic response to the pandemic, the focus in Europe is shifting back to the worrying health situation. POLITICO's Andrew Gray and Rym Momtaz are joined by Senior Health Reporter Sarah Wheaton to discuss the growing number of cases around the Continent and new restrictions being imposed as a result. They also talk about how the EU is faring in the worldwide race for a vaccine.

Our special guest is Austrian MEP Evelyn Regner, who spoke with POLITICO's Cristina Gonzalez and Maïa de La Baume about her push for gender parity among candidates to run the European Banking Authority. Regner argues that structural changes in how candidates are selected are necessary, and that gender quotas are the only solution to ensure women get a fair shot.

We also check in with POLITICO's Ryan Heath to hear about his new series coming to your EU Confidential feed in August: Campaign Confidential will cover the U.S. elections in November, combining POLITICO's insider knowledge with our global take on an election that is sure to have a big impact on Europe and the world.

EU Confidential is taking a break for the next two weeks, and the podcast team hopes all our listeners are also getting some well-earned rest over the summer. We'll be back on August 18 with the first episode of Campaign Confidential and your regular EU Confidential returns on Thursday, August 20.

The POLITICO  team breaks down the details — and the drama — behind the deal struck by EU leaders on a €1.82 trillion financial package during a historic five-day summit in Brussels.

Using audio clips from key players and drawing on behind-the-scenes reporting, POLITICO's Lili Bayer, Andrew Gray, David M. Herszenhorn and Rym Momtaz talk through the deals within the deal and the tensions among the leaders as they struggled to agree on an EU budget and coronavirus recovery fund. It's a must-listen episode for anyone wanting the inside scoop on how history was made.

The EU's budget and recovery plan, the Polish election outcome and the "tribalization" of Europe are all up for debate in this week's episode.

POLITICO's Lili Bayer has the latest take on where things stand as EU leaders gather at the negotiating table to wrangle over the budget and recovery package. It's an unusual summit with no reporters, no handshakes and some €1.8 trillion at stake. If a deal is struck, we'll bring you a special extra edition of the podcast to break down exactly what it all means.

Polish President Andrzej Duda won reelection by a slim margin on Sunday. POLITICO's Andrew Gray, Rym Momtaz and Matthew Karnitschnig debate what his victory means for Poland and the EU.

Marlene Wind, professor of politics at the University of Copenhagen, is our special guest to discuss her new book "The Tribalization of Europe." The book explores movements across the Continent that have "pulled up the drawbridge" in recent years, according to Wind, leaving the European project in jeopardy. Wind argues the EU needs to get tougher on upholding basic principles — which, she says, means leaders must get serious about linking EU cash to respect for the rule of law.

Wind makes the case for academics, journalists and citizens to be more vocal in speaking up in defense of liberal values — while resisting the temptation to form an inward-looking tribe themselves. She also previews what her home country of Denmark wants from the budget negotiations.

Emmanuel Macron's reshuffle, Angela Merkel's Brussels trip and Europe's approach to China all feature in this week's episode, as well as an interview with the EU's first chief prosecutor.

POLITICO's France Correspondent Rym Momtaz analyzes Macron's government rejig and explains why it has been met with more shrugs than smiles. The podcast crew discusses Merkel's address to the European Parliament and her meetings with top EU officials as they push for a recovery fund deal at next week's summit. We also look at where the EU and U.K. are heading on China, as they face pressure to react to Beijing's growing power over Hong Kong.

Laura Codruța Kövesi, the head of the new European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO), is this week's special guest. Kövesi talks to POLITICO's Lili Bayer about the role of the new organization and her previous job as the top prosecutor at Romania's National Anticorruption Directorate.

A Green wave in France, the speaking styles of Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron, and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić all feature in this week's podcast. POLITICO's Rym Momtaz in Paris explains what Green wins in local polls mean for Macron, while Matthew Karnitschnig gives us the perspective from Berlin on the Continent's Green shift in recent elections.

A joint press conference from Merkel and Macron this week highlighted their contrasting approaches to communication. Merkel kept things concise while Macron, the guest, hogged the clock with a 9-minute opening speech. The podcast panel debates whether it's all down to cultural differences, personal preferences, or just bad manners.

Vučić spoke to POLITICO's Andrew Gray and Jacopo Barigazzi during a recent visit to Brussels. The Serbian president discussed thwarted plans for a White House meeting with leaders from Kosovo and prospects for further peace talks. He also responded to criticism of last month's parliamentary election in Serbia, in which his party claimed 60 percent of the vote. Also on the agenda: Vučić's praise for China and criticism of the EU when it came to solidarity during the coronavirus crisis, and Serbia's s hopes for EU membership.

The podcast crew marks your political calendar with previews of elections in France and Poland as well as Germany's presidency of the EU Council. Rym Momtaz in Paris looks ahead to Sunday's second round of French local elections and discusses the stakes for President Emmanuel Macron. Zosia Wanat gives us the lowdown on Polish President Andrzej Duda's re-election bid, hot on the heels of his visit to the White House, and brings us some audio treats from the campaign.

From Berlin, Matthew Karnitschnig sets out Germany's aims as it takes over the EU's rotating presidency on July 1, seeking deals on the bloc's recovery fund and long-term budget as well as on future relations with the U.K.

The EU's Transport Commissioner Adina Vălean is our special guest, interviewed by POLITICO mobility reporters Joshua Posaner and Hanne Cokelaere. Vălean has been at the forefront of some big coronavirus battles in Brussels lately, including over whether customers should get vouchers or refunds for canceled flights. Vălean also reveals how she had to change her mindset when she became a commissioner after many years as a member of the European Parliament.

Oh, and if you're wondering about the twins — they're here: https://youtu.be/BiKG-2Tl6mo