Episode 42: Europe’s Strategic Autonomy and Transatlantic Relations with Stefan Lehne

In this episode of the Vienna Coffee House Conversations podcast, Ivan Vejvoda speaks with Stefan Lehne, Senior Fellow at Carnegie Europe and former Austrian diplomat, to examine the challenges facing the European Union amid a period of persistent crisis. They explore the EU’s response to a series of disruptions, including the financial crisis, Brexit, the pandemic, and the Russo-Ukrainian War, and discuss the broader implications of these events for European integration and global positioning. The conversation highlights how the EU’s institutional framework has adapted under pressure, shifting power dynamics between its institutions, and the increasing influence of external factors, such as U.S. foreign policy under Donald Trump and China's growing global role. Lehne offers insights into the EU's struggles with internal cohesion, its capacity to manage security and economic challenges, and the tension between national sovereignty and collective decision-making. The episode also addresses the future of EU enlargement, particularly in the context of Ukraine’s candidacy, and proposes the creation of a European Union Security Council to strengthen the bloc’s foreign policy effectiveness. Concluding with a look at Austria’s political landscape, the discussion underscores the challenges posed by populism and the need for strong, unified leadership to navigate a fragmented geopolitical environment.