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.
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Ep 169: Commissioner Johansson on EU migration ...
The EU's new plan to handle migration is in the spotlight — Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson lays out the package and our podcast panel breaks it down. You'll also hear from Clément Beaune, France's minister of state for European affairs, on Turke
36 min
352
Campaign Confidential #6: How conspiracy theori...
In this episode of our pop-up series on the U.S. elections, hosted by Ryan Heath, we talk about how conspiracy theories have moved from the fringes of American political rhetoric to the mainstream.
23 min
353
Ep 168: Von der Leyen's State of the European U...
We analyze Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's first State of the European Union speech. And Ronald Gidwitz, the U.S. ambassador to Belgium who's also the acting Representative to the EU, gives us his take on the issues that unite and divide his c
36 min
354
Campaign Confidential #5: Money, money, money
In this episode of our pop-up series on the U.S. elections, hosted by Ryan Heath, we talk money — diving into why American elections are so expensive, and how 2020 is stacking up.
24 min
355
Ep 167: Commission reshuffle — Strasbourg skip ...
A European Commission reshuffle, the European Parliament's decision to skip Strasbourg and new uproar over Brexit all feature in this episode — alongside our interview guest Nick Pickles, Twitter's global policy strategist.
35 min
356
Campaign Confidential #4: Why is America more p...
On this episode of our pop-up series on the U.S. elections, hosted by Ryan Heath, we explore the polarization of American politics and ask one simple question: Why has this happened?
25 min
357
Ep 166: Macron's Lebanon gamble — Navalny poiso...
A firsthand account of French President Emmanuel Macron's latest diplomatic push in Lebanon; the poisoning of opposition activist Alexei Navalny; and McMafia author Misha Glenny on the political leaders he calls "iron men" — it's a packed episode of EU Co
36 min
358
Campaign Confidential #3: A perfect storm — For...
Our third episode dedicated to the U.S. election, hosted by Ryan Heath, breaks down the 'perfect storm' of issues — a pandemic, voting troubles and foreign interference — that have experts on edge.
21 min
359
Ep 165: Golfgate and Hogan's resignation — Trum...
EU Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan's resignation, the "golfgate" controversy surrounding his decision and what this means for the European Commission is the hot topic of this week's episode, and our special guest is transatlantic expert Dan Hamilton.
28 min
360
Campaign Confidential #2: Republican National C...
We take you to the Republican National Convention (RNC) in this episode of our pop-up podcast series on the U.S. elections, hosted by Ryan Heath, and break down what is motivating Trump voters in 2020 — including in key states like Pennsylvania. We also e
22 min
361
Ep 164: Belarus crisis — Germany's environment ...
The EU's approach to the Belarus crisis and a new transatlantic battle over sanctions on Iran are up for debate in this week's episode, while Germany's Environment Minister Svenja Schulze sets out her plans to steer EU climate policy.
36 min
362
Campaign Confidential #1: Democratic National C...
The first episode in a brand new pop-up series on the U.S. elections.
18 min
363
Trailer: Campaign Confidential
A sneak preview of our new pop-up podcast on the U.S. elections, Campaign Confidential, launching next week.
3 min
364
POLITICO EU Confidential Trailer
From Brussels, Berlin, Paris and London — Europe’s premier political podcast.
1 min
365
Ep 163: New coronavirus concerns — MEP Evelyn R...
Fears of a coronavirus second wave, a campaign for gender equality at the top of the EU, and the U.S. presidential election all feature in this week's episode.After weeks of intense debate over the economic response to the pandemic, the focus in Europe
30 min
366
Ep 162: EU budget and recovery summit — Deal, d...
The POLITICO team breaks down the details — and the drama — behind the deal struck by EU leaders on a €1.82 trillion financial package during a historic five-day summit in Brussels.Using audio clips from key players and drawing on behind-the-scenes rep
29 min
367
Ep 161: Summit state of play — Polish election ...
The EU's budget and recovery plan, the Polish election outcome and the "tribalization" of Europe are all up for debate in this week's episode.POLITICO's Lili Bayer has the latest take on where things stand as EU leaders gather at the negotiating table t
33 min
368
Ep 160: Europe's chief prosecutor — French resh...
Emmanuel Macron's reshuffle, Angela Merkel's Brussels trip and Europe's approach to China all feature in this week's episode, as well as an interview with the EU's first chief prosecutor.POLITICO's France Correspondent Rym Momtaz analyzes Macron's gover
27 min
369
Ep 159: Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić — Ma...
A Green wave in France, the speaking styles of Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron, and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić all feature in this week's podcast. POLITICO's Rym Momtaz in Paris explains what Green wins in local polls mean for Macron, while Matt
27 min
370
Ep 158: French & Polish elections — Germany's E...
The podcast crew marks your political calendar with previews of elections in France and Poland as well as Germany's presidency of the EU Council. Rym Momtaz in Paris looks ahead to Sunday's second round of French local elections and discusses the stakes f
34 min
371
Ep 157: Peter Mandelson's WTO bid — Recovery re...
Peter Mandelson, former EU trade commissioner and British Cabinet minister, throws his hat into the ring to be the next boss of the World Trade Organization (WTO). He makes his pitch as to why he could pull the WTO out of crisis — and why Britain's Conser
33 min
372
Ep 156: VP Věra Jourová on disinformation — US ...
European Commission Vice President Věra Jourová joins us to discuss the EU executive's plan to crack down on disinformation related to the coronavirus. The document specifically accuses China and Russia, as well as home-grown peddlers of disinformation,
36 min
373
Ep 155: Protests spread — G7 drama — French MEP...
The killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis at the hands of police officers sparked protests in the United States, as well as in Europe. POLITICO's Rym Momtaz, Matthew Karnitschnig and David M. Herszenhorn debate the reaction from European leaders, includi
35 min
374
Ep 154: Commission's €750B recovery plan — Batt...
The European Commission this week unveiled a sweeping €750 billion proposal to get the EU's economies back on track. POLITICO's budget guru Lili Bayer, along with Andrew Gray, Matthew Karnitschnig and Rym Momtaz break down the plan and preview the battles
35 min
375
Coronavirus edition #11: Reviewing Europe's res...
As countries ease lockdowns and try to move toward normality, we take stock of Europe's response to the coronavirus so far. We pick out key themes and moments, offer a behind-the-scenes peek at our coverage and look at the challenges to come.POLITICO's
32 min