Brussels Playbook Podcast — BONUS: "Europe has to be saved from itself" Interview with Eva Busch, Sweden's Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister (February 12, 2026)

Overview

In this special episode of the Brussels Playbook Podcast, host Anne McElvoy sits down with Eva Busch (sometimes transcribed as Eber or Amber), Sweden’s Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister, ahead of the Munich Security Conference. The discussion spans Europe’s response to the war in Ukraine, the EU’s institutional challenges, relations with the US and the Trump administration, debates over migration and integration, free speech and protest, and the future of European energy. Busch’s forthright, no-nonsense style crystallizes a vision of Europe that is faster, more sovereign, and firmly rooted in its founding democratic values – but also in need of “saving from itself.”

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Europe’s Response to Ukraine and Security Challenges

• European Leadership’s Role ([01:05]–[02:17]):

  • Busch argues Europe is at a “crossroad,” capable of acting but hamstrung by inertia. She references recent meetings (Davos) reflecting a “more of a European determination” that now needs to translate into real action.
  • She questions the need for Europe to stop depending on American leadership and even the EU’s own institutions:
    Quote: “Can Europe now decide to lead itself, not wait for American leadership, maybe not even wait for the EU institution itself? That is what I’m trying to push for from a Swedish perspective.” [01:59 – Busch]

• On the EU’s Core and Bureaucracy ([02:37]–[04:20]):

  • Busch says the EU “needs to be saved from itself,” warning that overreach and bureaucracy erode legitimacy – as seen, she argues, in Brexit and rising Euroskepticism.
  • She urges a re-focus on “strong democracies, not large bureaucracies” and warns against a Union that promises too much and delivers too little.

2. Europe’s Place in the World and Relations with the US

• Feeling Excluded from Decisions ([04:20]–[06:11], [08:36]–[10:53]):

  • McElvoy highlights the perception that Europe is sidelined in Ukraine negotiations. Busch responds:
    Quote: “Europe needs to toughen up... stop waiting for the commission to take the lead... Let’s make sure we’re truly strong together where we decide to be strong — on the single market, on securing sovereignty and independence.” [04:54 – Busch]

  • Busch criticizes slow EU action, noting delays in reducing dependence on Russian gas even after the full-scale invasion. She says Brussels being “outrun” by member states is not a concern, but “how do we move fast enough from words into action.” [06:56 – Busch]

• On the Trump Administration and US Relations ([09:12]–[11:31]):

  • Busch says the Trump administration’s unpredictability means Europe must be respected for its “own strengths,” not slow institutions. She makes a pointed distinction:
    Quote: “The president does not respond well to weakness... only responds to strength and unity — but not unity in itself.” [09:35 – Busch]
  • She notes Sweden’s sharply increased defense spending (2.8% of GDP, targeting 5%) and advises the US to update its view:
    Quote: “I think the Americans need to update their talking points on Europe... It still sounds like they believe Greta Thunberg is running the show — and she’s not.” [10:32 – Busch]

• Reaction to US Rhetoric and Value Debate ([11:31]–[13:37]):

  • In reference to J.D. Vance’s “highly insulting” comments at the previous Munich conference, Busch says such rhetoric causes friction rather than partnership but acknowledges the need to address internal threats and the importance of a unified set of European values.

3. The EU, Legitimacy, and Political Shifts

• On von der Leyen and Institutional Limits ([13:37]–[15:46]):
  • Busch describes Ursula von der Leyen as “the strongest [leader] that we have,” but reminds listeners that she cannot act without unanimous member state backing.
  • She calls for some countries to “move ahead to show that it is possible,” emphasizing public legitimacy and warning that unmet promises drive polarization — referencing political surges in the UK, Germany (AfD), and France (Le Pen).

4. Migration, Integration, and the Swedish Approach

• Overhauling Migration Policy ([16:25]–[19:17]):

  • Busch outlines Sweden’s dual focus: clarifying both pathways into and out of Swedish society. She criticizes past attempts to “blur the lines” of Swedish national identity and notes reforms moving away from permanent residency towards either citizenship (demanding language, self-sufficiency, and value alignment) or temporary stay.

• Integration and Crime ([19:17]–[21:21]):

  • She claims failed integration harmed migrants the most, with violence concentrated in migrant-dense areas.
    Quote: “Who are the ones that have paid the highest price ...of a failed integration? It is the ones that have migrated to Sweden.” [20:17 – Busch]
  • Consistency of law, regardless of background or area, is a cornerstone: “We do not allow alternative laws to be applied in parallel societies.”

5. Free Speech, Protest, and Societal Values

• Protests and Limits to Expression ([21:21]–[25:40]):
  • Busch recounts personal experiences of intimidation at meetings disrupted by aggressive pro-Palestinian activists. She contends that solidarity can be expressed without infringing others’ rights and rejects forms of protest she perceives as harassing or threatening to free debate.
  • She supports restrictions on “very known and clear antisemitic lines,” including the controversial slogan “from the river to the sea,” articulating a standard for prohibiting speech that crosses into support for extremism or incitement.
    • Quote: “You can believe whatever you want, but you cannot impose those values wherever, whenever...Waving around the flags of terrorist organizations...I think that should lead to action from society.” [24:49 – Busch]

6. Energy Security, Nuclear Power, and Sweden’s Model

• Sweden’s Energy Policy and European Lessons ([25:40]–[28:03]):
  • Busch notes Sweden’s €1bn energy support package to Ukraine and outlines an energy security vision anchored in nuclear power, asserting “there basically is no other realistic alternative” for reliable, greener baseload electricity for Europe.
  • She critiques over-reliance on wind that lacks predictability for industry, and challenges larger EU economies (notably Germany): “It’s time to move on, get rid of that opposition to nuclear...” [26:42 – McElvoy paraphrasing Busch]

7. Reflections on Greta Thunberg and Leadership

• Climate Activism and Policy Leadership ([28:03]–[29:02]):
  • Busch expresses respect for Thunberg’s societal engagement but emphasizes that highlighting problems must be paired with actionable solutions.
  • Quote: “We need more leaders who not only shed light on issues but that also come with solutions.” [28:46 – Busch]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The European Union...has to be saved from itself.”
  — Eva Busch [02:37]
• “Brussels being outrun by member states is not something that is keeping me awake at night. At least I welcome these initiatives.”
  — Eva Busch [06:56]
• “The president [Trump] does not respond well to weakness... only responds to strength and unity, but not unity in itself.”
  — Eva Busch [09:35]
• “I think the Americans need to update their talking points on Europe... It still sounds like they believe Greta Thunberg is running the show — and she’s not.”
  — Eva Busch [10:32]
• “If you don’t align with [Swedish values], there is no way into the Swedish society. You will live on Swedish territory, but you will be in a permanent outside perspective from the Swedish society.”
  — Eva Busch [18:15]
• “You can believe whatever you want, but you cannot impose those values wherever, whenever... I think that should lead to action from society. I do not think that that should be allowed, no.”
  — Eva Busch [24:49]
• “We need more leaders who not only sheds light on issues but also comes with solutions.”
  — Eva Busch [28:46]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:05] — European leadership’s ability to address war in Ukraine
• [02:37] — EU needs to be “saved from itself”; reflection on EU’s founding purpose
• [04:50] — Exclusion of Europe from US–Russia–Ukraine negotiations
• [06:55] — Is Brussels at risk of being left behind by faster member states?
• [09:12] — Busch’s view on Europe under Trump administration
• [11:31] — Reflection on J.D. Vance’s Munich comments, internal threats to cohesion
• [13:37] — Thoughts on Ursula von der Leyen and EU institutional constraints
• [16:25] — Sweden’s new approach to migration, integration, and deportations
• [19:17] — Pushback against crime, parallel societies, and consistent rule of law
• [21:21] — The limits of protest and free speech, experience of pro-Palestinian demonstrations
• [25:40] — Energy policy: Sweden’s support for Ukraine, nuclear power for Europe
• [28:13] — Greta Thunberg’s legacy and the need for actionable solutions

This episode offers a candid, forceful perspective on Europe’s present and future challenges from one of its most outspoken conservative leaders, balancing institutional skepticism with democratic pragmatism, and calling for Europe to reclaim speed, strength, and core values in a turbulent world.