POLITICO Berlin Playbook

This Politico Berlin Playbook episode analyzes Giorgia Meloni’s dual strategy: presenting a pragmatic, pro-EU face internationally while pursuing a radical conservative agenda domestically.

This episode profiles Kaja Kallas, tracing her rise from a technocrat to the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs.

Gordon Opinski profiles Pedro Sánchez, tracing his rise from a marginalized figure to Spain’s long-serving Prime Minister through resilience and tactical alliances.

Host Gordon R.

Gordon Rapinski traces Vladimir Putin’s transformation from a perceived partner to adversary, detailing how German political naivety and energy dependence enabled his rise.

This Politico Berlin Playbook episode, hosted by Gordon Rapinski, explores Donald Trump’s second term through a speculative 2026 lens, detailing…

Host Trixa Fürsen and guest Miriam Holstein analyze the massive CDU cabinet reshuffle triggered by Jens Spahn’s resignation.

The episode details a major German cabinet reshuffle, with Nina Warken becoming Chancellor’s Office Minister and Carsten Linnemann appointed Health Minister.

Host Rixa Fürsen discusses Thorsten Frei’s appointment as CDU/CSU faction leader with Maximilian Starscheid, speculating on cabinet reshuffles involving Nina Wagen and Carsten Linnemann.

This episode covers Economics Minister Katharina Reiche’s new startup strategy, focusing on mobilizing private venture capital and supporting defense tech firms.

Rixa Drexler speaks with Gregor Schwing about escalating US-Iran tensions and Trump’s contradictory “peace president” stance amid soldier deaths.

This episode examines Germany’s health insurance reform, warning that new psychotherapy budgets may worsen already long wait times.

This episode analyzes the political fallout from Jens Spahn’s resignation, exploring potential successors like Thorsten Frei and Alexander Dobrindt for the Union parliamentary group leadership.

Politico’s Berlin Playbook features Florence Gaub, director of research at the NATO Defense College, discussing NATO’s future amid the Ankara summit and the alliance’s 75th anniversary.

Host Gordon Opinski interviews General Marcus Laubenthal, Germany’s highest-ranking NATO officer, on the alliance’s state following the Ankara summit.

This episode examines the strategic shift in German-French relations under Friedrich Merz and Emmanuel Macron, focusing on nuclear cooperation and…

This episode examines the German Economic Ministry’s controversial hiring of external consultants for EU emissions trading and industrial policy,…

Host Gordon Pinski previews Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s traditional summer press conference, discussing his performance and upcoming state elections with guest Rasmus Buchsteiner.

Rick Saafürsen interviews former Bundeswehr officer David Martail about his book "Deutschland ist es wert," which defends German patriotism and the value of national service.

The episode examines Germany’s planned tobacco tax hike to address budget deficits and public health, featuring an interview with SPD politician Claudia Moll.

The episode covers the political crisis in Berlin after CDU leader Kai Wegner stepped down amid a scandal over false claims regarding his actions during the January blackout.

Rahm Emanuel discusses shifting NATO from common defense to collective deterrence against a humiliated Russia, urging European allies to increase spending and move resources east.

German Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder discusses the urgent need to repair and modernize the country’s rail infrastructure, addressing chronic delays and climate-related disruptions.

This episode examines the contentious passage of Germany’s health insurance savings package, highlighting legal challenges and procedural disputes with federal states.

This episode analyzes Donald Trump’s shifting demeanor at the NATO summit in Ankara, noting how his erratic behavior ultimately reinforced alliance unity.

Hosted from the NATO summit in Ankara, this episode analyzes Donald Trump’s confrontational stance on Greenland and troop withdrawals, featuring…

Rixa Fürsen and Wilhelmine Stenglin discuss the NATO summit in Ankara, highlighting massive European defense deals and the push for greater European burden-sharing.

The episode covers the pivotal French court ruling on Marine Le Pen’s eligibility for the upcoming presidential election and its implications for the National Rally.

Host Gordon Reppinski analyzes the shaky 2027 German budget, featuring Rasmus Buchsteiner on fiscal tricks and Fritz Günstle on tax reforms.

In this Politico Berlin Playbook episode, host Gerd Pinski is joined by Ulf Poschardt to discuss the new Merz government’s reform efforts, particularly regarding tax and pension changes.

This episode covers the AfD federal party conference in Erfurt, analyzing internal power struggles and Björn Höcke’s influence with Pauline von Pezold.

This episode examines Germany’s stalled coalition reforms, focusing on CSU leader Markus Söder’s refusal to cut the Mother’s Pension and CDU politician Tilman Kuban’s proposal to negotiate savings.

Host Gordon Ropinski analyzes Jens Spahn’s rising influence within the German coalition as they tackle pension and tax reforms.

Host Drixa Fürsen speaks with military historian Sönke Neitzel about the symbolic return of the German cabinet to the Bendlerblock for defense talks.

The Politico Berlin Playbook covers the CDU-SPD coalition’s ongoing negotiations on tax reform and labor market flexibility, featuring Roland Koch’s insights on subsidy cuts.

This episode analyzes Volkswagen’s plan to cut 100,000 global jobs, with experts Romanus Otte and Tobias Vogt debating China’s competitive threat versus Germany’s domestic structural issues.

In this Politico Berlin Playbook special, host Gordon Opinski walks through Kyiv with German Ambassador Heiko Thoms to explore the city’s resilience amid war.

The Politico Berlin Playbook examines the German coalition’s push to finalize tax and pension reforms before the summer break.

The episode covers the fallout from an exclusive Politico report on a photo showing AfD politician Martin Reichert making a Nazi salute, including Reichert’s denial and mixed party reactions.

The episode examines Germany’s expert commission report on social media bans for minors, featuring insights from Maximilian Stascheidt and Green politician Denise Lohr.

Rixa Fürsten interviews Florence Gaub at NATO’s Allied 4-Sight Conference in Berlin, discussing future threats like cyber warfare and climate change ahead of the Ankara summit.

This episode covers the UK political shift with Andy Burnham succeeding Keir Starmer, analyzed by Anne McElvoy.

Host Gordon Opinski analyzes the German pension commission’s reform proposals with expert Rasmus Buchsteiner, highlighting key measures like raising the retirement age.

Host Gordon Pinsky and guest Mariam Lau discuss Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s performance at the G7 summit in Evian, highlighting his diplomatic…

This episode analyzes the provisional Iran deal, questioning its durability and funding with Jonathan Martin.

This episode examines the EU summit’s focus on China’s unfair trade practices and Ukraine’s accession timeline, featuring analysis from Hans von der Burchardt.

This episode examines the US government’s conflict with AI firm Anthropic, highlighting implications for European digital sovereignty with guest Jasper Benning.

Host Rixa Füßen interviews Aras Nathan-Koll on the potential reopening of the Strait of Hormuz amid US-Iran tensions.

Host Gordon Opinski analyzes the G7 summit in Geneva, focusing on managing Donald Trump’s ego and the weak Iran deal.

Host Gordon Pinsky analyzes the controversy surrounding a photo of CDU and AfD politicians in Saxony-Anhalt, featuring an interview with AfD figure Hans-Thomas Tilschneider.