Brussels Playbook 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.
301
Monkeypox in Europe — Big Tech vs. Telecoms battle
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 lobbying battle brewing in Brussels between Big Tech platforms and telecom operators.
39 min
302
Russian propaganda — Macron in Africa — Cities ...
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 story of Umeå, Sweden, which has become a trailblazer in incorporating gender equality into urban design.
27 min
303
Heat wave — Energy vs. climate — Crypto spotlight
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 also look into a debate over crypto currencies and how they should be regulated across the EU.
31 min
304
Summer travel chaos — Combustion engines' end —...
Our POLITICO mobility team takes over this episode — unpacking the issues facing the travel industry this summer and what European policymakers can do to address them.
43 min
305
EU Home Affairs chief Ylva Johansson — Aussie r...
As drama unfolds across the English Channel, we look at where things stand with the EU's migration policy and examine EU-Australian relations.
36 min
306
NATO summit — Swedish, Norwegian and Estonian P...
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 security. We also hear from the prime ministers of Sweden, Norway and Estonia.
36 min
307
Ukraine on EU membership path — Balkan backlas...
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-hopefuls in the Western Balkans.
32 min
308
Ukraine impact — Panel-speak, decoded — Poets' ...
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 discussions. Our special guest is retired British diplomat and author John Ramsden.
36 min
309
Merkel's return — Poland pushback — US NATO amb...
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. Our special guest is Julianne Smith, the U.S. ambassador to NATO.
32 min
310
Russian oil ban — Hungarian hold-up — EU 'ghost...
We unpack EU leaders' deal to ban Russian oil imports — with some notable exceptions after Hungary played hardball. And author Tommaso Pavone tells the story of the lawyers who turned "ghostwriters" to make the EU a legal reality.
37 min
311
Scholz on Ukraine — COVID update — Food waste s...
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 for a forceful response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
37 min
312
Death of globalization? — EU expansion — Women ...
This bumper edition of Davos Confidential includes a debate on the death of globalization, the prospects of more countries joining the European Union and an insider's take on the role of women at the World Economic Forum.
41 min
313
Russian oil sanctions — Stagflation fears — Cry...
We hear exclusively from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the chance of clinching a sixth package of EU sanctions, and from experts on Russia and the latest trends in the financial world.
39 min
314
Zelenskyy chides global elite — Trust troubles ...
This episode comes to you from the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland — featuring participants from business, government and the non-profit sectors.
39 min
315
Nordic NATO bids — Commission half-time report ...
Commission's performance so far, and hear from Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly on relations with the EU and more.
38 min
316
Future of Europe — Macron in Berlin — Voices fr...
We debate some big ideas for the future of Europe and examine the state of Franco-German ties after recently-reelected French President Emmanuel Macron's trip to Berlin. We also hear from Ukrainian officials and the EU's ambassador in Kyiv.
34 min
317
EU's Russian oil ban — Steinmeier snub saga — 2...
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 visit Kyiv. Our special guest is Cambridge Professor Helen Thompson.
34 min
318
Macron 2.0 — Brussels vs. Budapest — Climate ch...
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 to uphold the rule of law and dive into the impact of climate change on Spanish politics.
40 min
319
Special edition: Macron beats Le Pen in French ...
In this special edition, we analyze the result of the French presidential election and its implications for France and for Europe.
26 min
320
Macron and Le Pen debate — Germany's Ukraine we...
We review the big clash between French presidential contenders Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen.
34 min
321
French election round 2 – Slovakian PM in Ukrai...
We analyze the latest from the French presidential campaign and hear Slovakian Prime Minister Eduard Heger's first-hand account of his visit to Ukraine.
34 min
322
Special edition: French presidential election f...
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 qualify for a run-off vote on April 24.
26 min
323
French election preview — Orbán's victory — Tra...
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 Minister Viktor Orbán's reelection.
38 min
324
Brussels after Biden — Hungarian election — Wor...
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 weekend.
33 min
325
Biden's Brussels summits — Sanctions stalemate ...
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 and the G7. Our special guest is Ukrainian novelist and thinker Andriy Kurkov.
33 min