Brussels wanted less red tape. It hasn't proved as easy as that.

Brussels is discovering that cutting red tape may be harder without actual experts in the room. As the EU races ahead with its deregulation drive, concerns are growing over rushed lawmaking, weaker safeguards and the sidelining of technical specialists.

Then, EU leaders are exploring ways to make Russia sanctions harder to block — including extending renewal deadlines from six months to a year — as Brussels moves quickly after Viktor Orbán’s departure.

And finally: Giorgia Meloni’s party has found a new political battleground — peacocks. Yes, really.

For this episode of the Brussels Playbook Podcast, Ian Wishart is joined by POLITICO senior finance reporter Kathryn Carlson.

Send us your thoughts — and your views on whether peacocks should be considered a public menace — on our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.

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