More Russian snooping allegations

Brussels Playbook Podcast

POLITICO

Politics, News, News Commentary

4.4 • 202 Ratings

🗓️ 24 March 2026

⏱️ 14 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

After Hungary was accused of leaking sensitive EU discussions to the Kremlin, the spotlight is now shifting to Germany. Zoya Sheftalovich is joined by Ian Wishart to unpack mounting concerns in Brussels over the far-right AfD’s access to confidential EU documents — and whether Europe’s open systems are creating new vulnerabilities. The duo also discuss Denmark’s election, where Mette Frederiksen is fighting for another term in a tight race, and break down a razor-thin result in Slovenia — plus what Giorgia Meloni’s referendum defeat means for her authority at home. And finally — Europe’s quirkiest contest returns. The “Eurovision of trees” is about to crown its winner, and we want your pick. Which tree do you like the most? Which one gets your vote? Send us your choice on our WhatsApp: +32 491 05 06 29. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Ready to launch your business? Get started with the commerce platform made for entrepreneurs.
0:04.8	Shopify is specially designed to help you start, run and grow your business with easy customizable themes that let you build your brand.
0:12.4	Marketing tools that get your products out there. Integrated shipping solutions that actually save you time.
0:17.4	From startups to scaleups, online, in person and on the go. Shopify is made for
0:22.8	entrepreneurs like you. Sign up for your $1 a month trial at Shopify.com slash setup.
0:30.2	Good morning. It's Tuesday, March 24, and this is the Brussels Playbook podcast.
0:41.0	The VALSysm. This is the Brussels Playbook podcast. The vibe in town today is distrustful because Brussels is turning its attention away from
0:46.7	Hungary to Germany's far-right AFD party and its access to confidential EU documents.
0:52.7	Also on the pod, the Danes are heading to the polls today. So we're seeing whether Meta Friedrichson might be looking at a third term as Prime Minister. And finally, my absolute favourite story of the day, who's going to win the Eurovision of trees? Ian, do you have a favourite tree? Oh, maybe a weeping willow. I love a weeping. I love a birch, actually,
1:12.5	my Ukrainian homeland. Anyway, I'm Zorochevd. With me today is Ian Wischard. He's our senior
1:17.8	politics editor. Hey, Ian. Hi, Zoya. And there is some breaking news this morning connected
1:22.9	with your country of birth. No, not birth, where you lived for a long time.
1:26.9	This is terrible. Yeah, there is some news, Ian. So just overnight, Ursula von der Leyen,
1:32.1	has been in Australia signing a big free trade agreement with that country. And it's a pretty
1:38.1	big one because this was the one that fell apart back in 2023 over last minute disagreements.
1:42.7	But Donald Trump is pushing Australia and Europe
1:44.9	closer together.
1:46.2	Okay, well, I'm sure we'll talk about that much more in the days to come, but should we look
1:49.7	at the main stories of the day now?
1:56.2	Our first story today, it's a bit of a continuation on the theme that we started yesterday
2:01.0	about suspicion and distrust among the European Council table.
2:05.5	We spoke yesterday about how Hungary might be leaking EU secrets to Russia.
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from POLITICO, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of POLITICO and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.