Brussels Playbook Podcast
by POLITICO
Latest episode
What will a female president mean for Germany and Europe?
What will a female president mean for Germany and Europe?
About this podcast
POLITICO’s daily audio briefing on what’s moving Brussels — and why it matters.
The Brussels Playbook Podcast is the audio extension of the Brussels Playbook newsletter. Hosted by POLITICO's chief EU correspondent, Zoya Sheftalovich, the podcast runs Monday through Thursday, offering a clear, reporting-driven guide to EU politics in under 15 minutes. It’s a perfect companion for your morning coffee.
Each episode takes listeners inside the decisions, power shifts and debates shaping the day in Brussels — and explains how they connect to national capitals across Europe.
Clear, conversational and shaped by reporting from the heart of the EU, the Brussels Playbook Podcast brings context to EU politics as your day begins.
On Fridays, the same feed features a longer episode that goes deeper into the week’s biggest themes, offering context and analysis beyond the daily news cycle — with Sarah Wheaton behind the mic.
Episodes
The newest 50 of 683 episodes
- What will a female president mean for Germany and Europe? · 33 minA rare outbreak of cross-party unity has interrupted months of infighting surrounding Friedrich Merz’s embattled coalition in Berlin. His nomination of Ilse Aigner — a respected…
- The summit Europe loves to hate · 18 min · Episode 148Over 50 leaders are descending on Dublin today for the European Political Community summit — but it's not a popular one. Today on the show, Zoya Sheftalovich and Kathryn Carlson…
- How to bypass unruly MEPs · 16 min · Episode 147The European Parliament has figured out how to pass controversial legislation ... just bypass the full vote of all 720 MEPs. Today on the show, Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart…
- Can the EU's climate strategy survive election season? · 17 min · Episode 146The EU wants to be a heavyweight at U.N. climate summits. But upcoming elections across the bloc could upend those efforts. As COP31 kicks off this week, Zoya Sheftalovich and…
- SPONSORED EPISODE: The science and evolution of cancer care · 18 minPrecision oncology and digitally enabled cancer care are transforming what it means to live with cancer. The number of people in Europe alive more than five years after a cancer…
- Le Pen’s plan to end EU diplomacy · 17 min · Episode 145All eyes are once again on Ukraine this week, as a fresh round of diplomatic talks puts Europe’s future in the balance. The continent’s focus will largely be on Ukraine as…
- US voters’ warning to European politicians · 39 min · Episode 26The Democrats scored a resounding victory in this week's U.S. midterm elections. But will their triumph actually change anything for Europe? With the balance of power shifting…
- How to find a job in the age of AI · 18 min · Episode 144Artificial intelligence is fundamentally reshaping Europe’s job market. The Commission is hoping to do something about that. Today on the show, Zoya Sheftalovich and Sarah…
- Europe wakes up to a blue tsunami in the US midterms · 20 min · Episode 143Overnight, the Democratic party has won the U.S. Senate and made decisive gains in the House. But this might not necessarily be good news for Europe. On this special episode…
- Poland's court fight boils over · 18 min · Episode 142Poland's long-simmering rule-of-law issue reached boiling point this weekend. So, what now? On today's show, Zoya Sheftalovich and Kathryn Carlson unpack Prime Minister Donald…
- Canada, coffins and confessionals · 18 min · Episode 141The jet lag has barely worn off, but Brussels is already grappling with what its new relationship with Canada could actually look like. After the 48-hour whirlwind EU-Canada…
- Special episode: An exclusive interview with Canadian PM Mark Carney · 33 min · Episode 141In this special edition, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney sits down with POLITICO's chief EU correspondent Zoya and Ottawa bureau chief Nick Taylor-Vaisey for an exclusive…
- Inside America's midterm election battle · 47 min · Episode 25America is heading to the polls for the midterm elections — and Europe is watching closely. With the outcome set to have consequences far beyond Washington, from trade to…
- The great EU-Canada lovefest · 18 min · Episode 140European leaders are descending on Montreal in a bid to forge closer ties with Canada. On today's show, host Zoya Sheftalovich catches up with Sarah Wheaton, who's on the ground…
- The Putin call dividing EU leaders · 19 min · Episode 139Europe's united front on Ukraine is showing cracks. Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre have opened a direct line to Vladimir Putin…
- Inside von der Leyen's Commission shake-up · 17 min · Episode 138Ursula von der Leyen’s plan to slim down and reorganize the European Commission moves a step closer, with outside advisers calling for a stronger center, fewer bureaucratic silos…
- It’s complicated: The status of EU-Canada relations · 17 min · Episode 137Canada and the EU want a much closer relationship — but they still disagree over what that relationship actually is. Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur look ahead to this week’s…
- Can Europe save the world's war crimes court from Trump? · 30 min · Episode 24U.S. President Donald Trump has the world’s war crimes court in his crosshairs. By sanctioning the entire International Criminal Court, his administration is threatening its…
- Who speaks for Europe in the Ukraine peace talks? · 16 min · Episode 136As the U.S. pushes to revive peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, a question is causing tensions in Brussels: Who actually speaks for the EU? Zoya Sheftalovich and Sarah…
- Brussels goes looking for billions to fund Ukraine · 17 min · Episode 135With Washington's support for Kyiv increasingly uncertain, Brussels is looking to its allies to help keep Ukraine afloat. The price tag: €70 billion. On today's show, Zoya…
- Macron and Merz edge closer to a budget deal · 18 min · Episode 134The Arctic is becoming a geopolitical battleground — and the EU wants a bigger role. The European Commission is unveiling a new strategy focused on security, as Russia builds up…
- Trump's Russia rethink — and Europe's response · 17 min · Episode 133Donald Trump’s latest moves on Russia and Ukraine have alarmed Kyiv and European capitals alike. But rather than scrambling to contain the fallout, EU leaders are keeping their…
- EU summit runs out of gas · 24 minIt's been a packed agenda at the European Council summit, with little sign of progress on key issues. EU leaders continued to argue over the bloc's long-term budget, with energy…
- EU leaders face off over the budget · 17 min · Episode 132EU leaders meet today for their first chance to beef about the budget face to face. On the show, Zoya Sheftalovich and Sarah Wheaton dive deeper into why leaders look…
- Europe's development aid dilemma · 17 min · Episode 131The Commission is grappling with two goals that may be counterproductive: cutting migration and slashing development aid. The EU executive’s argument is that a slash in…
- The Ceuta fears shaping Spain’s election · 17 min · Episode 130As the United States looks towards Russia for diesel, European leaders are doubling down on their support for Ukraine. On the show, hosts Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart…
- The EU budget battle just got nastier · 18 min · Episode 129Germany has rejected Ireland's proposal for the EU's next seven-year budget, despite €159 billion in cuts. And it's not alone: Governments are divided over where the cuts should…
- Is the EU ready for the next pandemic? · 33 min · Episode 22Five years after the height of the Covid pandemic, how much better prepared is the EU for the next health crisis? Host Sarah Wheaton is joined by POLITICO health reporter Helen…
- Can Europe finally get tough on China? · 16 min · Episode 128Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič is kicking off his visit to China today — and the stakes are high. On today’s show, Zoya Sheftalovich and Sarah Wheaton discuss the most…
- Behind closed doors, Europe braces for a deadly attack · 20 min · Episode 127Russia’s hybrid attacks across Europe — cyberattacks, sabotage, drone incursions — have been ramping up in recent months. But European governments are quietly preparing for…
- How Spain's snap election could blow up Brussels · 17 min · Episode 126Spain’s snap election is poised to upend not just domestic politics ... but EU politics, too. On today’s show, Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart break down all the far-reaching…
- The race for the EU’s plum diplomatic jobs begins · 17 min · Episode 125The race for some of the EU’s most coveted diplomatic jobs is under way. Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur unpack why this year’s routine EEAS rotation is attracting unusually…
- Russia's not-quite-war on Europe · 34 min · Episode 21Europe’s gray-zone war with Russia is getting harder to ignore. Sarah Wheaton speaks to security expert and author Elisabeth Braw about how Europe should respond as sabotage…
- The €865 billion brainstorming session · 16 min · Episode 124Ukraine’s prime minister is warning of a $20 billion defense funding gap as Russia intensifies its attacks and Kyiv struggles to protect its skies and keep the country running…
- Is Bardella too toxic for Le Pen’s campaign? · 16 min · Episode 123Ursula von der Leyen is heading on her annual tour of the Western Balkans to visit some of the countries in line to join the EU. But Bosnia & Herzegovina and Serbia, two…
- Trump, diesel and Europe's new energy squeeze · 16 min · Episode 122Another surge in energy prices risks making life even more expensive for Europeans — especially once winter rolls around. So when EU energy ministers meet in Dublin today…
- SPONSORED EPISODE: What is polyester worth? · 11 minAs ultra-fast fashion has gotten cheaper, textiles have become disposable to many Europeans. The average EU consumer purchased 95 articles of textiles last year — an increase of…
- A new era for European defense? · 18 min · Episode 121Europe’s defense ministers are meeting today to discuss whether the EU needs its own version of NATO’s article 4. This so-called Emergency Security Protocol would allow capitals…
- The Pope is fretting about frontier AI — what’s the EU’s answer? · 35 minEuropean lawmakers this week called for the EU’s artificial intelligence regulations to hold American tech companies liable for the risks their most advanced models pose to…
- Russia's untouchable tycoons · 15 min · Episode 120Europe breathed a sigh of relief after finally agreeing on a new Russia sanctions list. But attention is turning to the compromise that got it over the line: dropping two Russian…
- A power struggle in Brussels — and our big reveal · 21 min · Episode 119Today’s episode was recorded in front of an audience at our Brussels Playbook Live event. On the show, hosts Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart spotlight Cristina Lobillo…
- Is this how the Greenland crisis ends? · 17 min · Episode 118The U.N. General Assembly is in full swing over in New York, and the agenda is packed. But perhaps the most pressing item will take place on the sidelines of the gathering, as…
- Merz’s election nightmare continues · 17 min · Episode 117Two state elections pile more pressure on German Chancellor Friedrich Merz — raising fresh questions about his leadership and what a weaker Germany could mean for the rest of…
- Week Ender: Can Europe patch up the world in disorder? · 31 min · Episode 19The old global order is breaking down. Ursula von der Leyen thinks Europe may have to start building something new around it. In her State of the European Union speech, she…
- Von der Leyen makes it awkward with Canada · 17 min · Episode 116Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney takes the stage in Strasbourg after Commission President Ursula von der Leyen surprised EU capitals by floating “associate membership” for…
- Special episode: State of the EU 2026 — promises vs reality · 13 minIn this special episode from Strasbourg, Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart give their first take on the State of the European Union speech delivered by Commission President…
- AI fears grow as von der Leyen takes the stage · 17 min · Episode 114Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is giving her State of the European Union address this morning ... her biggest set-piece speech of the year. Host Zoya Sheftalovich is…
- Can less paperwork get EU workers moving? · 17 min · Episode 113Why is it easier for a jar of peanut butter to cross EU borders than it is for a European worker? According to the Commission, varying social security systems and professional…
- The EU’s plan for ‘weaponized’ migration · 16 minWhen Commission President Ursula von der Leyen gives her big State of the European Union speech on Wednesday, the topic of migration is likely to feature heavily. On today’s…
- Is Europe winning the ‘fight’? Von der Leyen’s SOTEU, one year on · 27 minWhen Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered her State of the European Union speech last year, the backdrop was chaotic. Russian drones had just crossed into Polish…
