In all areas, the UK continues to backtrack.

The European Union argues that we should be subject to rules of the club that we have left.

The precondition is the level playing field.

We can deliver a real Brexit that achieves our objectives.

But if there is not a deal, we still need the Irish Protocol or the Northern Irish Protocol fully implemented.

I'm going to miss being the pantomime villain. protocol or the Northern Irish protocol fully implemented.

I'm going to miss being the pantomime villain.

Hello and welcome to Brexit Republic. RTEs podcast on Brexit.

I'm Tony Connolly, RTE's Europe editor, normally in Brussels, but currently in Cologne, on the trail of the German elections.

I'm Sean Whelan, RTE's correspondent in London.

And I'm Cullum Ongoing, RTE's Deputy Foreign Editor,

normally in Dublin, but currently in Kildare.

Each week, Brexit Republic brings you all the latest developments in Dublin, Brussels and London.

And indeed, in Washington and Berlin.

This week we'll assess Boris Johnson's meeting with Joe Biden, where there was a clear mismatch in the post-in-counter briefings. And we'll hear from Olaf Schultz, potentially the next German leader on what he might say to Boris Johnson on the Northern Ireland Protocol. And we'll hear from former Taoiseach Enda Kenney on the legacy of Angela Merkel

and how and why she supported Ireland's position after the Brexit referendum.

We'll also hear from Ireland's Commissioner, Marade McGuinness, on how financial services and

climate change cooperation could pave the way to getting over Brexit tensions. But first,

Tony, where you are in Cologne at the moment,

you've been catching up with the lead man in the German election race.

Yes, indeed, Column.

Olaf Schultz is the lead candidate for the SPD, the Social Democrats,

...