Brussels’ back-to-school blues

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By SARAH WHEATON, DIONISIOS STURIS AND CRISTINA GONZALEZ
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It’s been a particularly chaotic rentrée for Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. In this week’s episode of EU Confidential, we talk about the mad dash to name the new slate of commissioners, while getting the right balance of politics, geography, gender and expertise. Host Sarah Wheaton is joined by POLITICO’s Chief EU Correspondent Barbara Moens and Policy Editor Joanna Roberts to look at the hot button issues on the agenda and consider how European voters’ call for a rightward shift in June could be reflected in policy — or not. 
Also, from the Berlin bureau, Nette Nöstlinger shares the top takeaways from Alternative for Germany’s historic victory in regional elections. And Tech Reporter Pieter Haeck looks at the trend of banning smartphones in the classroom and what Brussels can do to boost kids’ mental health.
Further readings:
5 takeaways from Germany’s eastern elections, by Nette Nöstlinger
Belgian schools launch crackdown on smartphones, by Pieter Haeck
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