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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Campaign Confidential #9: America's election li...
In this episode of our pop-up series on the U.S. elections, hosted by Ryan Heath, we dive into the myriad of lawsuits and legal issues surrounding November's elections.
25 min
402
Ep 171, presented by Shell: Commissioner Reynde...
Rule of law in the EU, mounting coronavirus concerns and Brexit brinksmanship are all up for debate on the latest episode of EU Confidential. Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders is our special guest to discuss the Commission's new rule-of-law audit of al
27 min
403
Campaign Confidential #8: What's at stake for E...
In this episode of our pop-up series on the U.S. elections, guest hosted by David M. Herszenhorn, we look at what's at stake for Europe and the impact on transatlantic relations.
26 min
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Ep 170: EU leaders talk Turkey and Russia — Cha...
As EU leaders meet in Brussels, we hold our own mini-summit to debate issues on the table in the European Council building — including tension in the Eastern Mediterranean and the EU's relations with Russia. Our special guest is Norbert Röttgen, who's cam
38 min
405
Campaign Confidential #7: How the fight for rac...
In this episode of our pop-up series on the U.S. elections, hosted by Ryan Heath, we talk about America's battle for racial justice and how it's translating into political action.
23 min
406
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
407
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
408
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
409
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
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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
411
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
412
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
413
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
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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
415
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
416
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
417
Campaign Confidential #1: Democratic National C...
The first episode in a brand new pop-up series on the U.S. elections.
18 min
418
Trailer: Campaign Confidential
A sneak preview of our new pop-up podcast on the U.S. elections, Campaign Confidential, launching next week.
3 min
419
POLITICO EU Confidential Trailer
From Brussels, Berlin, Paris and London — Europe’s premier political podcast.
1 min
420
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
421
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
422
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
423
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
424
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
425
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