Brussels Playbook Podcast

Brewing EU-US trade war — Ukraine FM Dmytro Kuleba — Future of Europe

01 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we debate simmering industrial tensions in the EU over a new U.S. law. We also get an update on the situation in Ukraine, including from Fo...

Brussels' Twitter headache — Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko — EU 'Superstate'

24 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we debate how Europe is grappling with Twitter since Elon Musk took the helm. We hear from Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko and discuss a new bo...

G20 summit digested — Viktor Orbán's authoritarian journey

17 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The annual gathering of G20 leaders in Bali, Indonesia was overshadowed by a deadly incident in Poland. A missile struck a village close to the border...

COP27 and Europe's climate role — A new Cold War?

10 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On this week's episode, host Suzanne Lynch in Brussels speaks with Karl Mathiesen, POLITICO's senior climate correspondent, at the COP27 climate confe...

Europe braces for US mid-term elections

03 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As Americans head to the polls next week, we dive into transatlantic relations and the impact these elections could have on European policy and relati...

NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg — Commissioner Věra Jourová on EU media freedom

27 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg discusses how the war in Ukraine has shaped the military alliance. We also dig into the EU's proposed la...

Live from EU leaders meeting on energy, Ukraine and China

21 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week's episode comes to you from the heart of the European Quarter in Brussels, where the 27 EU leaders are meeting once again for a European Cou...

Putin's escalation — Western Balkan migration concerns — Food security update

13 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, POLITICO's Suzanne Lynch breaks down the reaction to Russia's recent escalation in Ukraine with an update from NATO headquarters. We ...

From Prague: The European Political Community is here

07 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week's EU Confidential comes to you from Prague Castle, where leaders of the EU's 27 countries held a historic meeting with well over a dozen o...

Italian election — Pipeline problems — EU ambassador to US

29 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss the implications of Italy's election last weekend and what its probable next prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, could mean for Europe. Our spe...

UN General Assembly — Russian escalation — EU reaction

22 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Coming to you from New York City, this bumper edition of EU Confidential brings you the highlights of the U.N. General Assembly and gets reaction from...

State of the European Union — MEPs debate

15 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Coming to you from Strasbourg, EU Confidential breaks down this week's big EU moment: the State of the Union address delivered by Commission President...

Energy emergency — Canada's EU ambassador — New host Suzanne Lynch

08 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

New host Suzanne Lynch digs into the EU's plans to address its energy crisis. And Canadian Ambassador to the EU Ailish Campbell explains how Europe is...

POLITICO's EU Confidential trailer

01 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Europe's #1 politics podcast returns on Thursday, September 8 with our new host, Chief Brussels Correspondent Suzanne Lynch.  Every week, POLITICO jo...

Monkeypox in Europe — Big Tech vs. Telecoms battle

04 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this bumper edition before the summer break, we explain the monkeypox outbreak in Europe and the EU's response. We also preview the biggest lobbyin...

Russian propaganda — Macron in Africa — Cities for women

28 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We debate what the EU and its leaders can do to counter Russian propaganda, particularly in Africa, about the global food crisis. And we tell the stor...

Heat wave — Energy vs. climate — Crypto spotlight

21 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We dive into the politics of this week's hot topic — Europe's response to a devastating heat wave and how that impacts current energy troubles. We a...

Summer travel chaos — Combustion engines' end — Wizz Air CEO

14 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Our POLITICO mobility team takes over this episode — unpacking the issues facing the travel industry this summer and what European policymakers can ...

EU Home Affairs chief Ylva Johansson — Aussie re-set — Interpreters row

07 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As drama unfolds across the English Channel, we look at where things stand with the EU's migration policy and examine EU-Australian relations. We also...

NATO summit — Swedish, Norwegian and Estonian PMs — G7 flop

30 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Coming to you from the NATO summit in Madrid, our POLITICO team analyzes a packed week in international diplomacy and what it means for Europe and its...

Ukraine on EU membership path ⁠— Balkan backlash — Albanian PM

24 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Coming to you from the EU leaders' summit in the heart of Brussels, we discuss Ukraine's candidacy to join the club and the lack of progress for EU-ho...

Ukraine impact — Panel-speak, decoded — Poets' guide to economics

16 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We explore more repercussions of the war in Ukraine, explain the latest dust-up between the U.K. and the EU and unpack the patois of political panel d...

Merkel's return — Poland pushback — US NATO ambassador

09 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We break down the controversy over a plan to unlock billions of euros in EU funds for Poland and debate Angela Merkel's return to the public arena. Ou...

Russian oil ban — Hungarian hold-up — EU 'ghostwriters'

02 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We unpack EU leaders' deal to ban Russian oil imports — with some notable exceptions after Hungary played hardball. And author Tommaso Pavone tells ...

Scholz on Ukraine — COVID update — Food waste solution

26 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This special edition of EU Confidential from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland drills into the question of whether the EU is really ready...

Death of globalization? — EU expansion — Women in Davos

25 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This bumper edition of Davos Confidential includes a debate on the death of globalization, the prospects of more countries joining the European Union ...

Russian oil sanctions — Stagflation fears — Crypto not dead

24 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We hear exclusively from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the chance of clinching a sixth package of EU sanctions, and from exper...

Zelenskyy chides global elite — Trust troubles — Billionaire bonanza

23 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode comes to you from the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland — featuring participants from business, government and the non-p...

Nordic NATO bids — Commission half-time report — Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly

19 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We unpack Sweden and Finland's historic bids to join NATO, provide a POLITICO half-time report on the European Commission's performance so far, and he...

Future of Europe — Macron in Berlin — Voices from Ukraine

12 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We debate some big ideas for the future of Europe and examine the state of Franco-German ties after recently-reelected French President Emmanuel Macro...

EU's Russian oil ban — Steinmeier snub saga — 21st-century disorder

05 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We unpack the EU plan to ban Russian oil and wonder why Germany is so hung up on Ukraine's refusal to let German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier vis...

Macron 2.0 — Brussels vs. Budapest — Climate changes Spanish politics

28 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We take the long view on the success of Emmanuel Macron and the rise of Marine Le Pen, unpack an EU move that could cut funds to Hungary for failing t...

Special edition: Macron beats Le Pen in French presidential election

25 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this special edition, we analyze the result of the French presidential election and its implications for France and for Europe. The show features h...

Macron and Le Pen debate — Germany's Ukraine weapons dilemma

21 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We review the big clash between French presidential contenders Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen. And we unpack Germany's struggle over whether to sen...

French election round 2 – Slovakian PM in Ukraine — EU's Russian energy habit

14 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We analyze the latest from the French presidential campaign and hear Slovakian Prime Minister Eduard Heger's first-hand account of his visit to Ukrain...

Special edition: French presidential election first round unpacked

11 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this special edition, we unpack the results of the first round of the French presidential election, which saw Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen qua...

French election preview — Orbán's victory — Transparency International Ukraine

07 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We preview this Sunday's presidential vote in France, discuss the latest Western responses to Russia's war in Ukraine and reflect on Hungarian Prime M...

Brussels after Biden — Hungarian election — World Food Programme boss

31 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We recap Joe Biden's visit to Brussels for a series of summits focused on the war in Ukraine and get you up to speed on Hungary's election this weeken...

Biden's Brussels summits — Sanctions stalemate — Ukrainian writer Andriy Kurkov

24 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We dive into the issues at the center of three Brussels summits dominated by Russia's war in Ukraine, as Joe Biden meets with leaders of NATO, the EU ...

China's role in Ukraine — Wartime leaders — Refugee crisis

17 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week we examine China's role in the Ukraine crisis and unpack the latest EU efforts to bring the war to an end. We also hear how organizations li...

Russia's repression — Ukraine jet confusion — Bulgarian PM Kiril Petkov

10 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we learn how the war in Ukraine is being reported inside Russia and unpack the confusion over whether Poland will supply fighter jets...

Europe's historic shift on Russia — Inside the war in Ukraine — Turkey's role

03 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this extended episode, we recap and reflect on the week that changed everything, for Europe and the world, after Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukrai...

Russia's war on Ukraine: European reaction and analysis

24 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode focuses entirely on Russia's war on Ukraine. We have reporting from inside Ukraine, news of the European response and analysis of the glo...

Moscow's mixed messages — Ukraine's Unity Day — Think tanker Heather Conley

17 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We hear from our reporters in Moscow and Kyiv about the continued tensions over Ukraine. Our special guest is Heather Conley, the new president of the...

Scholz and Macron's missions — Le Pen 2.0 — MEP David McAllister

10 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Macron in Moscow, Scholz in Washington: How did the French and German leaders do in their diplomatic missions in the midst of the Ukraine crisis? We a...

Partygate fallout — Estonian PM Kaja Kallas — Cecilia Malmström on EU trade

03 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week, a tale of two (very different) crises: the Partygate scandal threatening Boris Johnson and the continuing tension over Ukraine. We hear fro...

Latvia's war worries — Neutrals for NATO? — Polish MEP Patryk Jaki

27 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We take the temperature in the Baltics amid fears of a Russian attack on Ukraine and unpack how the U.K. is handling the crisis. We also talk to conse...

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola — Macron on EU — Merkel's next gig

20 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Roberta Metsola, the new president of the European Parliament, is our special guest. We also unpack French President Emmanuel Macron's appearance in t...

Omicron tidal wave — Remembering David Sassoli — Russia standoff

13 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The coronavirus wave engulfing Europe and the West's standoff with Russia over Ukraine both feature in this episode. We also reflect on the legacy of ...

Previewing 2022 — Russian brinkmanship — DOT Europe's Siada El Ramly

06 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We look at the big stories we expect to shape 2022 and suggest a few New Year’s resolutions for European politicians — and DOT Europe Director Gen...

Key 2021 political moments — Hearing from listeners — Politics of Jesus

16 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The podcast crew, Andrew Gray, Rym Momtaz, Matthew Karnitschnig and Cristina Gonzalez, present audio clips that sum up some of the big stories of the ...

Germany's new government — Denglish debate — POLITICO 28

09 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As Angela Merkel bows out after 16 years, we focus this episode on Germany's new government and its chancellor, Olaf Scholz. We also debate the growin...

OMG it's Omicron — China's EU strategy — Amnesty's Agnès Callamard

02 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week: the Omicron variant and its impact on Europe's coronavirus response, our editor-in-chief on China's approach to Europe and Amnesty Internat...

Austrian Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg — New German government — Luuk van Middelaar

25 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Austrian Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg, France's Europe minister Clément Beaune and Dutch political theorist and author Luuk van Middelaar all fe...

COP26 climate drama — Top US foreign policy adviser Derek Chollet

18 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we get the American perspective on European strategic autonomy and other issues facing the EU from Derek Chollet, the top adviser to U.S. S...

4th wave — Whistleblower Frances Haugen — EU border blackmail

11 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we discuss Europe's coronavirus resurgence and the escalating migration crisis at the Polish border. Plus, we hear exclusively from F...

COP26 catch-up — Tech boss John Collison — EU gets (even) funnier

04 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The COP26 climate talks, a top European tech entrepreneur and a return to the question of whether the EU is funny all feature in this week's episode. ...

COP26 and G20 preview — Glasgow gears up — Lessons for liberalism

28 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We preview two big weekend events: the G20 summit and the start of COP26 climate talks. We also discuss liberalism and its current struggles with Brit...

Hungary's would-be PM — Rule-of-law ripples — German coalition talks

21 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We talk to Péter Márki-Zay, the man chosen by Hungarian opposition parties to take on Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Also in this episode, we have an...

EU energy prices — Curtains for Kurz — Poland courts controversy

14 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On the agenda this week: The EU's plans to tackle soaring energy prices, Sebastian Kurz's resignation as Austrian chancellor and a Polish challenge to...

Macron's US stance — Western Balkans summit — Dark EU lobbying

07 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week: The EU's place in the world — and the Western Balkans' place in the EU. And we dive deep into the murky world EU lobbying. POLITICO's Dav...

Who is Olaf Scholz? — German election aftermath — EU-US trade and tech push

30 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We dive into the aftermath of the German election and take a closer look at Olaf Scholz, the favorite to succeed Angela Merkel as chancellor. We also ...

Special edition: German election results

27 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In a special show from Berlin, the POLITICO team analyzes Germany's cliffhanger election, gauges the mood in the different camps, and explores how coa...

German election explained — French fury at Australian sub snub

23 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We explore the defining moments of the German election campaign and debate the security-and-submarine deal between Australia, the United States and th...

State of the European Union — German election latest

16 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Ursula von der Leyen's State of the European Union address and the closing stages of the race to succeed Angela Merkel as German chancellor are our tw...

German election's EU impact — Playbookers' premiere — Age of 'unpeace'

09 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The German election campaign's impact on EU policymakers is up for debate this week. And European Council on Foreign Relations director Mark Leonard t...

Afghanistan fallout — Europe's military dilemma — Politics of loneliness

02 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We debate whether Afghanistan's collapse moves the needle in Europe's long-running dilemma over building up its own military power. Plus, we have a di...

EU migration wrangle — Economist Joseph Stiglitz — EMA chief Emer Cooke

26 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In the wake of the withdrawal of western forces from Afghanistan, the EU is confronting renewed questions about its asylum policy. We also look at the...

Europe reacts to Afghanistan's collapse

19 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As the Taliban consolidate their hold over Afghanistan, we have reaction from around Europe to the U.S. decision to pull out and debate the policy imp...

Summer special: Recommended reading, listening and viewing

29 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We have all the recommendations you need for reading, listening and viewing to make the most of your summer holiday — courtesy of the POLITICO podca...

German floods — Spyware scandal — Svetlana Tikhanovskaya

22 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The devastating floods in Western Europe are our top story this week: We hear from our reporter in the German flood zone and debate the political cons...

Political football — EU's big climate combo — Recovery cash

15 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The political repercussions of Euro 2020, a massive package of European climate laws, and the first economic recovery plans approved for EU cash all f...

Slovenian EU presidency — Champagne spat — Digital expert Marietje Schaake

08 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Slovenia's awkward start to its EU presidency and a look at why Russia has France fizzing over Champagne feature this week. And our special guest is f...

Stunning summit — EU's engine room — Ex-Swedish PM Carl Bildt

01 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We unpack last week's extraordinary summit of EU leaders, take stock of the coronavirus situation in Europe and bring you inside the EU's "engine room...

Hungary's anti-LGBTQ+ law — Sausage wars — Commission VP Maroš Šefčovič

24 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Hungary's anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, France's regional elections and U.K.-EU relations are all up for debate. And we hear from European Commission VP Ma...

Biden's European summit spree — ECB President Christine Lagarde — Birthday bonanza

17 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We take stock of Joe Biden's visit to Europe and what it means for EU allies. And our special guest is European Central Bank President Christine Lagar...

Biden in Europe — Back to Strasbourg — Transatlantic talk

10 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Joe Biden's trip to Europe, an interview with Germany's transatlantic coordinator, the European Parliament's strange return to Strasbourg, and a brewi...

Spy affair — Laschet litmus — Former Irish President Mary Robinson

03 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Claims that Denmark helped the U.S. spy on European leaders, demands for the EU to step up on defense and bellwether state elections in Germany's Saxo...

Belarusian 'hijack' — Brussels food fight — Art of diplomacy

27 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Belarus airliner drama and EU leaders' response, as well as a big bunfight over farm subsidies, are up for debate this week. And longtime EU diplo...

Ep 201, presented by Equinor: Israeli-Palestinian conflict — Laschet's foreign foray — Javier Solana

20 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

European attitudes toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the foreign policy of Germany's conservative candidate for chancellor, and a chat with for...

Ep 200, presented by Shell: Vaccine patent waivers — Macron gets mad — Facebook's Nick Clegg

13 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

European leaders' cool reaction to a U.S. proposal to waive patents for coronavirus vaccines is up for debate this week. We also discuss big issues fa...

Ep 199, presented by SQM: Media freedom — European travel — Social summit

06 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Is media freedom in Europe under threat? Is the Continent ready to open up as the coronavirus abates? And how much of a social union should the EU be?...

Ep 198, presented by Equinor: Recovery recipes — Presidential problems — Scottish election

29 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Recovery fund masterplans, a power struggle among EU presidents and a deep dive into next week's Scottish Parliament election all feature in this epis...

Ep 197: Germany's candidates — Super League shambles — data breach battles

22 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The candidates vying to be Germany's next chancellor, Europe's Super League football flop and battles over people's personal data all feature in this ...

Ep 196: Ukraine tension — Merkel succession battle — Marine litter

15 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

POLITICO's Matthew Karnitschnig has been following this week's dramatic battle to become the conservative nominee to replace German Chancellor Angela ...

Ep 195: Sofagate — Central and Eastern Europe's COVID struggles — Ivan Krastev

08 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The big preoccupation for the Brussels bubble this week was a trip to Ankara by European Council President Charles Michel and Commission President Urs...

Special Edition: Stephen Brown — An audio appreciation

04 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This special edition of the EU Confidential podcast reflects on the life and career of Stephen Brown, the POLITICO Europe editor in chief who died of ...

Ep 194: EU faces Beijing backlash — European astronauts in conversation

01 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

POLITICO's Andrew Gray, Rym Momtaz, Matthew Karnitschnig and Stuart Lau get you up to speed on recent rows between China and the European Union — al...

Ep 193, presented by the European Training Foundation: Vax attacks — German scandals — Syria conflict

25 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

POLITICO's Andrew Gray, Rym Momtaz, Matthew Karnitschnig and Jakob Hanke Vela break down the Commission plan to give the EU more powers to stop vaccin...

Ep 192: AstraZeneca limbo — Vaccine export bans — COVID disinformation

18 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As the European Commission proposes a digital certificate to allow for safe travel around the EU in the corona era, we debate how much that matters if...

Ep 191: German election journey — EESC in spotlight

11 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Our Trans-Germany Express stops first in Stuttgart to speak with POLITICO's Laurenz Gehrke about Sunday's regional elections. Then we head to Düsseld...

Ep 190: EU solidarity jabbed — Vaccine passports — China relations

04 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

POLITICO's Sarah Wheaton joins podcast regulars Andrew Gray and Rym Momtaz to discuss the implications of an increasing number of EU countries shoppin...

Ep 189: Message to Moscow — Frontier fracas — Euro English

25 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

EU foreign ministers this week gave the go-ahead for sanctions on Russian officials in response to the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny. PO...

Ep 188: Mario Draghi's return — Italian influence — Is the EU funny?

18 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss Italy's new prime minister, Mario Draghi, and explore how he will operate at home and on the European stage. Plus, we debate whether the EU...

Ep 187, presented by Equinor: Borrell Russia rumpus — Macron's rivals — Lithuania's foreign minister

11 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We debate EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell's controversial trip to Moscow and hear from the foreign minister of a country that knows first-hand a...

Ep 186, presented by Equinor: Vaccine export fiasco — Von der Leyen's line — Belgian virologist

04 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

POLITICO trade reporter Jakob Hanke Vela talks us through how the Commission's export control scheme became more controversial as it evolved, culmina...

Ep 185, presented by BP: Europe's vaccine blame game — Brussels bubble struggles

28 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

POLITICO's Chief Policy Correspondent Sarah Wheaton joins Andrew Gray, Rym Momtaz and Matthew Karnitschnig to talk through an in-depth story she co-au...

Ep 184: Europe reacts to Biden's inauguration — Merkel succession

21 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Joe Biden's inauguration may have been happening in America, but the eyes of Europe and the world were watching. POLITICO's Rym Momtaz, Matthew Karnit...

Ep 183: CDU contenders — Platforms and politicians — 'Good' countries

14 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

POLITICO's Andrew Gray and Matthew Karnitschnig set up the biggest political event in Europe this week — the election of the next leader of the Chri...

Ep 182: Vaccine vexation — EU-UK deal — Previewing 2021

07 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We look back on the big news of the holiday period and forward to the stories we expect to shape 2021 in another bumper podcast panel edition of EU Co...