Gerardo Fortuna
@gerardofortuna.bsky.social
CIAO THERE. Brussels-based polémiste. Brussels Playbook Author at @politico.eu
Speaking of red flags… this pizza was red. Like, aggressively red. I didn’t realize just how red until I opened the box. But hey, this is supposed to be a space free of biases and preconceived ideas, so there we go
November 25, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Speaking of red flags… this pizza was red. Like, aggressively red. I didn’t realize just how red until I opened the box. But hey, this is supposed to be a space free of biases and preconceived ideas, so there we go
...the frozen pizza I ate yesterday, topped with basil hummus, stracciatella di burrata, and raspberry vinaigrette. The n.31 on the box was a red flag. Could it be the name of the creation? Maybe. The number of attempts it took before they produced something edible? Also possible
November 25, 2025 at 2:45 PM
...the frozen pizza I ate yesterday, topped with basil hummus, stracciatella di burrata, and raspberry vinaigrette. The n.31 on the box was a red flag. Could it be the name of the creation? Maybe. The number of attempts it took before they produced something edible? Also possible
Building on last week’s diplomatic incident involving that infamous carbonara jar found in the EU Parliament’s shop, I’ve decided to launch a new series where I try foodstuffs that would emotionally devastate an Italian (not necessarily an Italian in power, though)
Episode 1...👇
Episode 1...👇
November 25, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Building on last week’s diplomatic incident involving that infamous carbonara jar found in the EU Parliament’s shop, I’ve decided to launch a new series where I try foodstuffs that would emotionally devastate an Italian (not necessarily an Italian in power, though)
Episode 1...👇
Episode 1...👇
“Israel should contribute significantly —if not fully— for repairing the damage and contributing to the reconstruction [of Gaza],” PM of the Palestinian Authority Mohammad Mustafa told reporters in Brussels on the sidelines of the EU’s Palestine donor event
November 20, 2025 at 6:11 PM
“Israel should contribute significantly —if not fully— for repairing the damage and contributing to the reconstruction [of Gaza],” PM of the Palestinian Authority Mohammad Mustafa told reporters in Brussels on the sidelines of the EU’s Palestine donor event
New on LinkedIn: What Haiti’s World Cup qualification taught me about working remotely
November 19, 2025 at 11:16 AM
New on LinkedIn: What Haiti’s World Cup qualification taught me about working remotely
Say something that gives off more Common Agricultural Policy vibes than this Japanese word
November 18, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Say something that gives off more Common Agricultural Policy vibes than this Japanese word
I knew it would happen sooner or later: Costas Kadis has arrived on the coast of Cádiz
November 12, 2025 at 1:30 PM
I knew it would happen sooner or later: Costas Kadis has arrived on the coast of Cádiz
What the EU does for you? Just making you feel old...
October 31, 2025 at 3:57 PM
What the EU does for you? Just making you feel old...
No media left behind: with this entry, I’ve officially liveblogged the EUCO for all three outlets doing live coverage of the EU summit. Not sure if that makes me the only one with a liveblog grand slam, but there can’t be that many
October 24, 2025 at 9:00 AM
No media left behind: with this entry, I’ve officially liveblogged the EUCO for all three outlets doing live coverage of the EU summit. Not sure if that makes me the only one with a liveblog grand slam, but there can’t be that many
There’s a new EU president in town: Séamus Boland elected this morning as @eesc-president.bsky.social. Yesterday, I had a chat with him — a farmer who, as he put it, “also happens to be very involved and loves drama, acting, writing plays and... showing off.”
October 22, 2025 at 4:57 PM
There’s a new EU president in town: Séamus Boland elected this morning as @eesc-president.bsky.social. Yesterday, I had a chat with him — a farmer who, as he put it, “also happens to be very involved and loves drama, acting, writing plays and... showing off.”
⚠️Frictions in the Commission: the spokesperson service (aka von der Leyen) publicly called to order EVP Raffaele Fitto after he floated changes to the EU’s long-term proposal in a meeting with regional leaders.
This follow-up statement made the reprimand clear.
This follow-up statement made the reprimand clear.
October 16, 2025 at 3:57 PM
⚠️Frictions in the Commission: the spokesperson service (aka von der Leyen) publicly called to order EVP Raffaele Fitto after he floated changes to the EU’s long-term proposal in a meeting with regional leaders.
This follow-up statement made the reprimand clear.
This follow-up statement made the reprimand clear.
Truly disastrous outcome for the anti–von der Leyen camp: the far-right no-confidence motion got just 179 votes (+4 from July’s attempt), while the Left’s fared even worse with 133.
This could mark the end of the motion-of-censure era
This could mark the end of the motion-of-censure era
October 9, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Truly disastrous outcome for the anti–von der Leyen camp: the far-right no-confidence motion got just 179 votes (+4 from July’s attempt), while the Left’s fared even worse with 133.
This could mark the end of the motion-of-censure era
This could mark the end of the motion-of-censure era
Happy birthday to Ursula @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu! In my profile for today's Brussels Playbook, I look at her unstoppable work style and share a virtual birthday card where political leaders and her own commissioners send her their best wishes. Check it out!
October 8, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Happy birthday to Ursula @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu! In my profile for today's Brussels Playbook, I look at her unstoppable work style and share a virtual birthday card where political leaders and her own commissioners send her their best wishes. Check it out!
ICYMI: It’s now official. As of today, I’ve started as Brussels Playbook author at @politico.eu, bringing you scoops, whispers, and sharp analysis from the Brussels bubble to Europe (and beyond) every Wednesday and Thursday
October 2, 2025 at 12:13 PM
ICYMI: It’s now official. As of today, I’ve started as Brussels Playbook author at @politico.eu, bringing you scoops, whispers, and sharp analysis from the Brussels bubble to Europe (and beyond) every Wednesday and Thursday
Detail spotters may have noticed: every EU leader pulled up in the same ride—a BMW i7 eDrive50, fully electric and courtesy of the Danish foreign affairs ministry.
This offered the most curious sight of the EUCO doorsteps so far: Italy’s Meloni stepping out of a German-made EV
This offered the most curious sight of the EUCO doorsteps so far: Italy’s Meloni stepping out of a German-made EV
October 1, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Detail spotters may have noticed: every EU leader pulled up in the same ride—a BMW i7 eDrive50, fully electric and courtesy of the Danish foreign affairs ministry.
This offered the most curious sight of the EUCO doorsteps so far: Italy’s Meloni stepping out of a German-made EV
This offered the most curious sight of the EUCO doorsteps so far: Italy’s Meloni stepping out of a German-made EV
Quiet atmosphere around Christiansborg Slot ahead of tomorrow’s informal EUCO in Copenhagen.
Locals seem more curious than annoyed by the summit’s security checks and traffic disruptions (quite a contrast to Brussels’ summit-season routine)
Locals seem more curious than annoyed by the summit’s security checks and traffic disruptions (quite a contrast to Brussels’ summit-season routine)
September 30, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Quiet atmosphere around Christiansborg Slot ahead of tomorrow’s informal EUCO in Copenhagen.
Locals seem more curious than annoyed by the summit’s security checks and traffic disruptions (quite a contrast to Brussels’ summit-season routine)
Locals seem more curious than annoyed by the summit’s security checks and traffic disruptions (quite a contrast to Brussels’ summit-season routine)
Out of sight, out of mind: Best 'window' seat in these tough times for European aircraft security—if a drone attack comes, you won’t see it anyway.
God eftermiddag from Copenhagen, on my way to tomorrow's informal EUCO!
God eftermiddag from Copenhagen, on my way to tomorrow's informal EUCO!
September 30, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Out of sight, out of mind: Best 'window' seat in these tough times for European aircraft security—if a drone attack comes, you won’t see it anyway.
God eftermiddag from Copenhagen, on my way to tomorrow's informal EUCO!
God eftermiddag from Copenhagen, on my way to tomorrow's informal EUCO!
EU Commission couldn’t think of a better way to mark the trade deal with Indonesia than serving something 'Indonesian' in the canteen, basically nasi goreng en croûte (yes, wrapped in pastry and baked).
Not sure Indonesians would approve, but hey, it’s the thought that counts.
Not sure Indonesians would approve, but hey, it’s the thought that counts.
September 26, 2025 at 1:27 PM
EU Commission couldn’t think of a better way to mark the trade deal with Indonesia than serving something 'Indonesian' in the canteen, basically nasi goreng en croûte (yes, wrapped in pastry and baked).
Not sure Indonesians would approve, but hey, it’s the thought that counts.
Not sure Indonesians would approve, but hey, it’s the thought that counts.
Just in: The EU Commission has announced the proposal of a 'robust package of sanctions' against Israel that includes a partial supension of trade concessions.
"The aim is not to punish Israel but to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza," says EU's chief diplomat Kallas
"The aim is not to punish Israel but to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza," says EU's chief diplomat Kallas
September 17, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Just in: The EU Commission has announced the proposal of a 'robust package of sanctions' against Israel that includes a partial supension of trade concessions.
"The aim is not to punish Israel but to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza," says EU's chief diplomat Kallas
"The aim is not to punish Israel but to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza," says EU's chief diplomat Kallas
y'all know how we can fit this pic on the header?
September 17, 2025 at 9:51 AM
y'all know how we can fit this pic on the header?
However, don’t expect Ursula von der Leyen to break a sweat while she does it.
Whether the chamber is hostile or not, the SOTEU is von der Leyen’s turf, and there’s very little risk of misstep.
Whether the chamber is hostile or not, the SOTEU is von der Leyen’s turf, and there’s very little risk of misstep.
September 9, 2025 at 2:29 PM
However, don’t expect Ursula von der Leyen to break a sweat while she does it.
Whether the chamber is hostile or not, the SOTEU is von der Leyen’s turf, and there’s very little risk of misstep.
Whether the chamber is hostile or not, the SOTEU is von der Leyen’s turf, and there’s very little risk of misstep.
Another pro-tip for following the SOTEU: what goes unsaid is just as telling.
And don't forget 'how' it is said: vdL is a skilled polyglot and a language shift can be a signal of who she is addressing — whether it be domestic constituencies or European partners
And don't forget 'how' it is said: vdL is a skilled polyglot and a language shift can be a signal of who she is addressing — whether it be domestic constituencies or European partners
September 9, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Another pro-tip for following the SOTEU: what goes unsaid is just as telling.
And don't forget 'how' it is said: vdL is a skilled polyglot and a language shift can be a signal of who she is addressing — whether it be domestic constituencies or European partners
And don't forget 'how' it is said: vdL is a skilled polyglot and a language shift can be a signal of who she is addressing — whether it be domestic constituencies or European partners
The SOTEU is also known for sweeping phrases that sound profound but often lack clarity.
For instance, in her latest address, von der Leyen declared that her approach to China would be “de-risk, not decouple”, whatever that slogan actually meant.
For instance, in her latest address, von der Leyen declared that her approach to China would be “de-risk, not decouple”, whatever that slogan actually meant.
September 9, 2025 at 2:29 PM
The SOTEU is also known for sweeping phrases that sound profound but often lack clarity.
For instance, in her latest address, von der Leyen declared that her approach to China would be “de-risk, not decouple”, whatever that slogan actually meant.
For instance, in her latest address, von der Leyen declared that her approach to China would be “de-risk, not decouple”, whatever that slogan actually meant.
-But also market-moving moments, like when von der Leyen announced an anti-subsidy probe into Chinese EVs in 2023, European carmakers’ stocks spiked within the hour.
(Besides, investors would be wise to watch closely also since vdL has a taste for big money pledges too.)
(Besides, investors would be wise to watch closely also since vdL has a taste for big money pledges too.)
September 9, 2025 at 2:29 PM
-But also market-moving moments, like when von der Leyen announced an anti-subsidy probe into Chinese EVs in 2023, European carmakers’ stocks spiked within the hour.
(Besides, investors would be wise to watch closely also since vdL has a taste for big money pledges too.)
(Besides, investors would be wise to watch closely also since vdL has a taste for big money pledges too.)