Best Angela Merkel Podcasts (2025)

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How to go from hero to zero, with Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel 37:08

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16d ago37:08

37:08

French President Emmanuel Macron has gone from “Mr. Europe” eight years ago to the solitary man by the Seine. At the same time, ex-German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s legacy is also going through a sudden and sharp downgrade. How did these centrist pillars of Europe tank so quickly? With parties on the far right and far left rising up in their place,…

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160. Michael Gove: Education, Brexit, and Trump (Part 2) 1:10:36

23m ago1:10:36

1:10:36

What is Michael Gove's lasting legacy on education in the UK? Would he have come to his position on Brexit if it weren't for Dominic Cummings? Is Nigel Farage's Reform a better chance for the UK than Labour? Rory and Alastair are joined by Michael Gove for a second episode answering all these questions and more. Get more from The Rest Is Politics w…

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How to lose a Dutch election — and still win one 35:21

1d ago35:21

35:21

Is it enough to come first in an election? In the Netherlands, you hear that centrist Rob Jetten won big and Geert Wilders’ far right lost a lot — even though either one could still turn out to be No. 1 when all the votes are counted. Eva Hartog breaks down the results of the Dutch election with host Sarah Wheaton, and Max Griera reflects on what F…

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159. Michael Gove: My Journey From Left to Right (Part 1) 55:42

6d ago55:42

55:42

How did Michael Gove go from campaigning for Labour leader Michael Foot in 1983 to becoming a Conservative MP? What is the impact that Rupert Murdoch has had on public life? What do Michael and Rory disagree about when it comes to Israel? Alastair and Rory are joined by former Cabinet Minister Michael Gove to answer all this and more. Get more from…

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How about them assets — making Russia pay for Ukraine 34:36

9d ago34:36

34:36

The EU wants to lend €140 billion in cash from frozen Russian funds to Ukraine; Belgium is afraid it will be the one on the hook for paying it back. That’s just one of the tough topics EU leaders discussed as they gathered in Brussels at a meeting devoted to fighting the external threat from Russian President Vladimir Putin — and the internal threa…

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158. Baroness Hale: The Supreme Court, Boris Johnson, and the ECHR 1:08:04

15d ago1:08:04

1:08:04

How did it feel to take on then Prime Minister Boris Johnson when Baroness Hale ruled his suspension of Parliament "unlawful"? Why does the Trump administration present such a threat to the international rule of law? The ‘Spider Woman’ has been at the centre of the legal battle for women’s rights, how have these changed in the past 50 years? Rory a…

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157. Ukraine, Diplomacy, and the Future of Europe (Dmytro Kuleba) 1:04:10

22d ago1:04:10

1:04:10

What is the current position of Ukraine in the Ukraine-Russia war? How delicate is diplomacy with Europe and with the US for the Ukrainian government? What are the differences between working with world leaders such as Donald Trump, Boris Johnson, and Joe Biden? Rory and Alastair are joined by the former Foreign Minister of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba (…

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How not to fall: Behind von der Leyen’s fightback and Macron’s meltdown 47:27

23d ago47:27

47:27

While the French government collapses in Paris, Ursula von der Leyen stands unshaken in Strasbourg. It’s been a week of political tremors — some performative, others seismic. Just three months after facing her first motion of censure, the European Commission president was hit with not one but two new attempts to topple her — and once again held fir…

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156. Defence Secretary, John Healey: Is Britain Ready For War? 1:15:08

29d ago1:15:08

1:15:08

What tactic did Donald Trump steal from Gordon Brown? What can we learn from when Labour beat UKIP in the 2012 Rotherham by-election when it comes to taking on Farage? As a New Labour alumnus, why does John Healey think there was more patience for change in 1997 compared to 2024? Rory and Alastair are joined by John Healey, The Secretary of State f…

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Humiliating Europe: Trump’s culture war and the EU’s response 37:33

1M ago37:33

37:33

What do Donald Trump’s culture war, Moldova’s EU ambitions, and Czechia’s upcoming parliamentary election have in common? They all reveal how Europe is being tested — and sometimes humiliated. In this episode of EU Confidential, host Sarah Wheaton speaks with Paweł Zerka, senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, about his …

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155. Mike Pompeo On Russia, Trump, and China 50:08

1M ago50:08

50:08

Why does the former Secretary of State think the US is going too soft on Russia and China? What was it like working closely with President Trump? Why did Putin invade Europe under Obama and Biden, but not Trump? Alastair and Rory are joined by Mike Pompeo, former US Secretary of State and CIA-Director, to discuss all this and more. Visit HP.com/pol…

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Escalating trouble – Trump takes on the UN and Europe 33:24

1M ago33:24

33:24

Trump says Ukraine can win — but should Europe believe him? At a hectic U.N. General Assembly in New York, U.S. President Donald Trump stunned world leaders with a dramatic rhetorical reversal on the war in Ukraine, mocking Russia as a “paper tiger” and urging NATO allies to shoot down Russian aircraft. Host Sarah Wheaton unpacks what this means wi…

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154. Maro Itoje: Inequality, Identity, and Hope 1:01:01

1M ago1:01:01

1:01:01

How do we tackle global poverty and fight for change? What qualities are needed in a leadership role? Is the Labour government delivering on the issue of inequality in the UK? Rory and Alastair are joined by captain of the England Rugby team, Maro Itoje, to discuss all this and more. Visit HP.com/politics to find out more. Join The Rest Is Politics…

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Jourová’s secrets and Putin’s drone tests 42:18

1M ago42:18

42:18

From rule of law battles to inside stories, Věra Jourová looks back on a decade in the Berlaymont. The former European Commission vice president recalls her clashes and alliances in Brussels — from sparring with Frans Timmermans to discovering that Thierry Breton never laughed at her jokes. Now back in Prague as vice rector of Charles University an…

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153. The Man Who Invented The World Wide Web (Tim Berners-Lee) 1:00:27

2M ago1:00:27

1:00:27

Tim Berners-Lee could be one of the richest men on the planet, why did he forfeit such large profits to make the World Wide Web a free and open space? How do we reclaim the internet from social media companies taking away our sovereignty? Have tech giants like Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk thanked Tim for his invention? Rory and Alastai…

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Ursula’s Fight Song — who’s singing along? 38:44

2M ago38:44

38:44

“Europe is in a fight.” With those words, Ursula von der Leyen set the tone for her State of the European Union speech — framing this as Europe’s “Independence Moment.” She proposed sanctions on extremist Israeli ministers over Gaza; floated using frozen Russian assets for Ukraine; and backed calls for a drone wall to protect the bloc's eastern fla…

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152. "A War on Children": A Generation in Gaza at Risk (James Elder) 1:03:20

2M ago1:03:20

1:03:20

Why is the humanitarian situation in Gaza the worst that James Elder has ever seen? What does the process of rebuilding Gaza look like? How do the people working on the ground not lose hope? UNICEF spokesperson James Elder joins Alastair and Rory to answer all these questions and more. To donate to UNICEF UK's Gaza appeal visit unicef.uk/gaza-podca…

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Tyrants are forever: Has Europe missed its moment? 36:20

2M ago36:20

36:20

Under the jackhammers on Schuman, Brussels is filling back up for the rentrée — and the fault lines are showing. Host Sarah Wheaton is joined by colleagues Clea Caulcutt, Nick Vinocur and Paul Dallison to unpack a cliff-edge week: France’s confidence vote on an austerity budget that could topple Prime Minister François Bayrou and push Paris back in…

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151. Prime Minister of Norway: On Trump, Tech, and Brexit Lessons (Jonas Gahr Støre) 58:43

2M ago58:43

58:43

Why is the nation with the world’s richest sovereign wealth fund not ‘universally happy’? What can the UK learn from Norway’s relationship with the EU? Is Jonas Gahr Støre really standing between Trump and a Nobel Peace Prize? Alastair and Rory are joined by The Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Gahr Støre, to discuss all this and more. Visit HP.com/…

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Limping through the Trump era: Can Europe lead again? 36:55

2M ago36:55

36:55

From a picturesque mountain resort in Austria, at the European Forum Alpbach, host Sarah Wheaton unpacks fresh threats by the U.S. to hit countries with tariffs over their digital rules — drawing instant reactions from the European Commission’s Sabine Weyand and Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz. She then sits down with former Spanish Foreign Minister…

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150. Nicola Sturgeon: What Really Happened In The Scottish Referendum (Part 2) 1:07:54

2M ago1:07:54

1:07:54

How did the media and Westminster impact the Scottish Referendum? Why are spin rooms "utterly pointless" in Nicola's view? Is misogyny in politics as bad as it used to be, or getting worse due to social media? Rory and Alastair are joined by Nicola Sturgeon for part 2 of their interview to answer all these questions and more. Visit HP.com/politics …

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EU's sweaty summer — what you missed (and what matters) 33:18

2M ago33:18

33:18

Just when we thought we could get a break for the summer, geopolitics had other plans. This week on EU Confidential, host Sarah Wheaton is joined by POLITICO colleagues Jordyn Dahl, Gabriel Gavin and Jan Cienski for a catch-up on what moved while the bubble was at the beach. From Alaska to the White House: Did anything real shift on Ukraine beyond …

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149. Nicola Sturgeon: On Margaret Thatcher, Alex Salmond, and the Push for Independence (Part 1) 46:34

3M ago46:34

46:34

What is the difference between class distinctions in Scotland and the rest of the UK? How did Nicola Sturgeon's childhood in Scotland inform her politics? What was Margaret Thatcher's influence on Nicola's career? Rory and Alastair are joined by former Leader of the SNP and First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, to answer all these questions …

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148. The President of Guyana: The Fastest Growing Economy in the World (Irfaan Ali) 1:02:41

3M ago1:02:41

1:02:41

How does Guyana balance its unprecedented economic growth, largely due to oil discoveries, with environmental sustainability? How does Guyana perceive and address the historical scar left by slavery? What has happened to West Indies cricket, and how does the future look? Alastair is joined by President of Guyana, Ifraan Ali, to answer all these que…

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147. I Thought It Was a Prank - Then I Was Chancellor: Jeremy Hunt (Part 2) 52:34

3M ago52:34

52:34

What was it like to be handed the reins to the economy following the Liz Truss mini-budget collapse? How did Jeremy Hunt feel fighting an election that he knew the Conservatives would lose? How would Thatcher have dealt with Trump? Alastair and Rory are joined by former Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to answer all this and more. TRIP Plus: Become a member …

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146. The Rise and Fall of The Conservative Party: Jeremy Hunt (Part 1) 50:36

3M ago50:36

50:36

How did Jeremy Hunt lose the Conservative leadership race to Boris Johnson? What does the longest serving Health Minister think will fix the NHS? What does Jeremy Hunt really think of Kemi Badenoch’s leadership? Alastair and Rory are joined by former Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to answer all this and more. Visit HP.com/politics to find out more. TRIP Pl…

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Escape the EU Bubble: Expert Summer Book Picks 35:28

3M ago35:28

35:28

This week, we’re taking a breath. EU Confidential is stepping away from summits, trade battles, and late-night trilogues — and turning to something more refreshing: books. Host Sarah Wheaton is joined by audio producer (and self-confessed book nerd) Dionisios Sturis for this special summer reading edition. From sharp political non-fiction to playfu…

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145. Gary Stevenson: Masculinity, Money, and the Myth of Meritocracy (Part 2) 47:06

3M ago47:06

47:06

How did Gary become a multimillionaire by the age of 25? How big a difference can a wealth tax make on regular people's lives? Have centrist politics failed on the economy? Rory and Alastair are joined by author of The Trading Game, Gary Stevenson, to answer all these questions and more. Visit HP.com/politics to find out more. TRIP Plus: Become a m…

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144. Gary Stevenson: From Teenage Drug Dealer to Millionaire Trader (Part 1) 36:16

4M ago36:16

36:16

How did Gary Stevenson go from being expelled for drug dealing, to one of the most successful traders in London? How does class and privilege play into the world of finance in the UK? What could men do differently to deal with their mental health at work? Rory and Alastair are joined by author of The Trading Game, Gary Stevenson, to discuss all thi…

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The €2 trillion question: Inside the battle over the EU's budget 38:11

4M ago38:11

38:11

Trillions of euros, almost as many priorities — and just over two years to agree. The European Commission has unveiled its sweeping new seven-year budget proposal, and the fight over where the money goes is already heating up. Host Sarah Wheaton is joined by POLITICO’s Gregorio Sorgi and Bartosz Brzeziński to break down the big winners and losers i…

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143. Iraq, Trump, and America’s Slide to Authoritarianism (Congressman Seth Moulton) 1:04:54

4M ago1:04:54

1:04:54

How did Congressman Moulton keep fighting the Iraq war when he thought it was a mistake? Is there anyone who can stop Trump, or is he an absolute monarch? Have substandard politicians used military service as a get-out-of-jail-free card? Rory and Alastair are joined by Congressman Seth Moulton to discuss all this and more. Visit HP.com/politics to …

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No-confidence vote: Is the EU Parliament about to break? 41:47

4M ago41:47

41:47

Ursula von der Leyen survived a motion of censure — but not without sustaining damage. In Strasbourg, tensions within her pro-European coalition burst into the open, with allies accusing her party of flirting with the far right (again) and warning they could soon turn on her. In this bumper episode, host Sarah Wheaton — who made the journey to Stra…

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142. The Truth About Net Zero's Credibility (Emma Pinchbeck) 1:05:53

4M ago1:05:53

1:05:53

Why are the British paying more for energy than anywhere else in Europe? How does society navigate the anxiety of having children during the climate crisis? What does the UK government need to do in order to speed up our transition to green energy? Rory and Alastair are joined by the Chief Executive of the Climate Change Committee and former CEO of…

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Boiling in Brussels: Climate fights and Orbán vs. Pride 38:17

4M ago38:17

38:17

Europe baked, the Atomium shut early — and Brussels finally unveiled its long-delayed climate target. Host Sarah Wheaton speaks with POLITICO Climate Reporter Louise Guillot, Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent Nick Vinocur and EU Politics Reporter Max Griera about the EU’s new 2040 goal: What a 90 percent emissions cut really means, why critics sa…

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141. The President of Cyprus: Iran, Israel, and the Cyprus Issue (Nikos Christodoulides) 1:02:29

4M ago1:02:29

1:02:29

What role does Cyprus play in the Middle East conflicts? How can Europe and the United Kingdom strengthen their relations during this tumultuous time? How can governments fight corruption? Rory and Alastair are joined by Nikos Christodoulides, the President of Cyprus, to discuss all this and more. The Rest Is Politics Plus: Become a member for excl…