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.
76
Dirty games in Brussels and war games in Europe
A lobbying frenzy, secret perks, and now police raids. Huawei’s cozy ties in Brussels have exploded into a full-blown corruption scandal.
29 min
77
Can EU leaders handle a world on fire?
100 days in, Europe’s top leaders are facing a reality check.
35 min
78
The US-EU breakup—what does it mean for Ukraine...
This week’s episode of EU Confidential comes to you from Thursday’s emergency meeting of EU leaders — the political equivalent of sobbing into your pillow on a sleepless night.
36 min
79
Can Germany’s next chancellor help Europe deal ...
Germany has voted, and Friedrich Merz is now the chancellor-in-waiting. But can he rise to the occasion?
37 min
80
Germany votes, Trump attacks, Europe reacts
Europe suddenly has to do it all — all alone, all at once.
35 min
81
Europe’s future, brought to you by Putin and Trump
You’ve gotta hand it to Donald Trump — even when you’re expecting him to surprise you, he still surprises you.
35 min
82
How political is your pizza? The Mediterranean ...
Pasta, pizza, and Parmigiano — delicious? Absolutely. But in 2025, they’re also deeply political.
27 min
83
Your guide to Trump’s Europe envoys
Diplomatic credentials? Optional. Deep pockets and loyalty to Trump? Essential. As Donald Trump rolls out his picks for U.S. ambassador posts in Europe — think fast-food executives, Broadway producers, billionaire donors and family insiders — one thing is clear: this isn’t traditional statecraft.
31 min
84
In Trump's new era: does Europe still matter?
As Donald Trump settles back into the White House, all eyes—even in snowy Davos—are on Washington.
38 min
85
Who’s in charge? What von der Leyen’s absence r...
While the president of the European Commission was secretly in the hospital, the next president of the United States was musing about invading Greenland.
27 min
86
Elon Musk: Europe’s Bloviator-in-Chief
The world’s richest man has a lot to say, a vast platform, and the ear of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. Now he has turned his focus to Europe.
30 min
87
Holiday special: Meet JD Vance’s surprising Eur...
To kick off the new year, we’re sharing a standout episode from our sister podcast, Power Play. EU Confidential will be back next week, but for now, join us for this deep dive into the rise of JD Vance.
35 min
88
Holiday special: Brussels vs Moscow — the EU ri...
For the final episode of EU Confidential this year, we revisit a compelling discussion on the EU’s waning influence in its eastern neighborhood, originally recorded in October.
36 min
89
Farewell to the EU’s sharpest in-house critic
Politics are driving a growing culture of secrecy at the European Commission, warns European Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly in this week’s episode of EU Confidential.
30 min
90
Inside the POLITICO 28 gala: Europe’s most powe...
This week's episode of EU Confidential takes you inside the POLITICO 28 gala, where we revealed our list of the people who will drive the year ahead.
38 min
91
Can Brussels’ new power trio take on Trump?
Finally. After months of paralysis, the new leadership team in Brussels is up and running.
31 min
92
Romania’s TikTok upset boosts Putin
Romania’s presidential election delivered a TikTok-fueled political shock, with pro-Russia, far-right candidate Călin Georgescu winning the first round.
34 min
93
Scholz on the brink, Rubio in the wings: Europe...
While Donald Trump is filling out his top team, the EU faces a leadership vacuum.
29 min
94
The challenges to energy security in Europe
Europe’s energy system is entering a period of radical change.
14 min
95
What the Commissioner hearings revealed about t...
There were 26 hearings and 72 hours of questions, answers and non-answers — and in the end, none of it mattered. Politics clearly trumped policy as MEPs grilled the aspiring new commissioners, with partisanship reaching new heights.
30 min
96
How Trump is already breaking Europe
After Donald Trump’s election victory, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is breaking out the Champagne. Germany’s government, meanwhile, is breaking up.
38 min
97
Faith, fear and freedom: European eyes are on t...
For a fresh view of the U.S. election in its final days — and what it means for Europe — this week’s episode of EU Confidential gets a ground-level take from the campaign trail.
27 min
98
Brussels vs Moscow: The EU risks losing its eas...
A vote that was supposed to be a slam dunk in favor of the EU turned into a nail-biter: barely 50 percent of Moldovans backed the country’s accession ambitions in last week’s referendum.
35 min
99
The world is in crisis and the EU is doing ... ...
This week’s episode of EU Confidential is a show about nothing. As in: Brussels’ endless lame-duck inertia. Sure, there’s still lots of yadda yadda yadda, but no real action coming out of the EU institutions despite multiple global crises.
34 min
100
Driving toward a trade war with China
Buckle up. This week on the EU Confidential podcast, we’re talking cars. And a looming trade war.
27 min