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Brussels Playbook Podcast

Power play in European Parliament

Brussels Playbook Podcast

POLITICO

News, Politics, News Commentary

4.4204 Ratings

🗓️ 17 February 2026

⏱️ 15 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

A battle for power in the European Parliament is already underway — though quietly for now — with the midterm reshuffle a year away. Behind the scenes, MEPs are counting votes, testing alliances and positioning themselves for the presidency and other top jobs. On this episode of the Brussels Playbook Podcast, host Zoya Sheftalovich is joined by senior European politics editor Ian Wishart to unpack the maneuvering — and what it means for Roberta Metsola, the far right and the balance of power in Brussels and Strasbourg. They also examine how debates over trans rights are gaining visibility in Brussels, and why those arguments are increasingly intertwined with broader transatlantic political dynamics. Plus: Can parts of Brexit be quietly softened for British students and touring musicians? And with latte prices creeping north of €5 in some places, Zoya and Ian want to know: Where’s the best coffee in Brussels? You can reach us at our WhatsApp number, +32 491 05 06 29 — send us your favorites. **A message from Amazon: Across Europe, businesses are growing with the AWS Cloud to build innovative, scalable products. From Europe’s largest enterprises and government agencies to the continent’s fastest growing startups, learn more about how AWS Cloud is helping businesses across Europe grow at ⁠AWS.eu⁠.** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

Today's episode is presented by Amazon.

0:03.4

60% of sales on Amazon come from independent sellers.

0:07.3

Across Europe, over 280,000 small and medium enterprises

0:11.9

partner with Amazon to grow their business.

0:14.7

Learn more at aboutamazon.eU.

0:22.8

What happened? From director Maggie Jelenhall.

0:25.0

We dug you up and we brought you back to life.

0:28.4

Starring award winners Jesse Buckley.

0:30.4

What did you want with a dead girl?

0:32.4

And Christian Bale.

0:33.5

I'm the same.

0:34.4

Born from the dead.

0:35.5

I'm master.

0:36.3

With Peter Sarsgaard, Annette Benning and Penelope Cruz. The dead have got some in the same. Born from the dead. A master. With Peter Sarnsgaard, Annette Benning and Penelope Cruz.

0:39.4

The dead have got something to say, and I'm saying it.

0:43.0

Every fight's free.

0:44.8

The bride in cinemas, March 6.

0:48.6

Good morning.

0:49.8

It's Tuesday, February 17, and this is the Brussels Playbook podcast.

0:55.7

The vibe in Brussels today is Machiavellian, as MEPs quietly size each other up ahead of a midterm power reshuffle.

1:04.8

Also on the pod today, who's bringing culture wars to Brussels, and undoing Brexit, one student, singer and actor at a time.

1:13.4

I'm Zoya Shafdanovich, Politico's chief EU correspondent, and with me today is our senior

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