Brussels Playbook Podcast

Episode: Power play in European Parliament
Date: February 17, 2026
Host: Zoya Shevdolovic (POLITICO’s Chief EU Correspondent)
Guest: Ian Wishart (Senior European Politics Editor)

Main Theme

Today’s episode dives into the Machiavellian mood in Brussels as MEPs prepare for a midterm power reshuffle in the European Parliament—spotlighting the ongoing intrigue over the Parliament presidency, the far right’s bid for parliamentary power, a brewing culture war over transgender rights, and growing efforts to undo Brexit through cultural and educational ties.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Early Midterm Power Shuffle in the European Parliament

(00:57 – 05:41)

• Gossip and jockeying begins ahead of schedule:

  • Normally the Parliament’s top jobs are reshuffled midterm, but chatter and manoeuvring has started unusually early—less than halfway through the 5-year term.
  • “We're not even at the two and a half year mark yet, and already there's some gossip. Well, quite a lot of gossip going on in the corridors, isn't there?”
    — Zoya Shevdolovic, 01:17

• Roberta Metsola’s unprecedented third-term bid:

  • The current Parliament President, Malta’s Roberta Metsola, is rumored to seek a rare third term—something never done before.
  • “It's quite an open secret that she wants to run for a third term... Max [Guerrera] quotes somebody who says she's in full campaign mode.”
    — Ian Wishart, 01:54

• Power dynamics and coalition politics:

  • Metsola is strongly backed by Manfred Weber, head of the influential EPP.
  • The Socialists, who claim there was a power-sharing “job swap” deal, aren’t fielding a strong candidate—possibly in exchange for keeping Antonio Costa as European Council President.
  • “...they're not putting their own strong candidate forward. And the whispers of this is because they're quite happy with Antonio Costa... Maybe if we allow Metsola to get another extension... then maybe we'll get to keep Costa.”
    — Zoya Shevdolovic, 03:10

• Jostling for committee chairs and vice presidencies:

  • It’s not just about the presidency—committee chairs and vice presidencies are in play, with heightened tension due to a surge in far-right MEPs seeking representation.
  • “The rise in MEPs from the far right means that they're going to want those types of jobs... there's going to be so much jostling for them to get jobs after the halfway point.”
    — Ian Wishart, 04:02

• Far-right representation and legal challenges:

  • Far-right MEPs argue for a share of key roles, pointing to their increased numbers and hypothetical scenarios like Marine Le Pen’s ally Jordan Bardella potentially becoming President of France.
  • “It would be quite absurd if we have one running the second largest economy in the EU, but none in any committees in the European Parliament.”
    — Zoya Shevdolovic, 04:54
  • A case is before the Court of Justice of the EU on whether blocking far-right MEPs from roles is legal.

2. Culture Wars Come to Brussels: The Trans Rights Debate

(05:49 – 08:56)

• Trans rights emerge as a flashpoint in EU institutions:

  • The debate, long prominent in the US and UK, is intensifying in Brussels, with anti-trans activists gaining a platform—including in Parliament.
  • “A controversial subject that's raged in the US and Britain for a number of years now has suddenly emerged as a big thing in Brussels.”
    — Ian Wishart, 06:26

• Hungarian influence and new players:

  • MCC Brussels, a think tank funded by Viktor Orbán's government, helps organize anti-trans events and speakers in Parliament.
  • “It's no accident that some of these events are happening with the support of... MCC Brussels... funded by the Hungarian government.”
    — Zoya Shevdolovic, 06:51

• Far-right MEPs create platform for campaigners:

  • Example: A German AfD MEP invited Billboard Chris, a prominent anti-trans YouTuber, to a parliamentary event.

• Fear of normalization and concern from watchdogs:

  • “Groups that monitor hate and extremism worried... anti trans rhetoric is becoming more visible, more normalized, more mainstream.”
    — Zoya Shevdolovic, 08:32

3. Political Headlines: Macron’s “Far-Right Proofing” & EU Budget

(09:09 – 09:49)

• Macron’s efforts to block a far-right presidential succession:

  • The French president is strategically appointing allies to key posts as he looks toward the 2027 election.

• Ecofin/Finance Ministers Meeting:

  • EU finance ministers to discuss the multi-annual financial framework (MFF) and support for Ukraine.

4. Undoing Brexit, One Artist and Student at a Time

(09:49 – 12:44)

• British artists’ struggle with post-Brexit touring:

  • MEPs from the Culture Committee are in London discussing the challenges UK musicians and actors face touring the EU post-Brexit.
  • “Brexit happened, it hit musicians in the UK quite hard... filling in loads of paperwork, applying for visas... it was tantamount to like ending their careers.”
    — Ian Wishart, 10:37
  • Elton John called the British government “philistines” over the issue.

• Not just stars—students as well:

  • MEPs are also seeking greater cooperation via the Erasmus+ education exchange.
  • Recent deal: UK to rejoin Erasmus in December (costing £570 million).

• Signs of an EU-UK “reset”:

  • The UK government under Keir Starmer is “really trying to bring the UK back towards the EU” (12:22) — whether due to conviction or geopolitics.

5. Brussels Lifestyle: The Cost of Coffee

(13:09 – 13:44)

• Soaring coffee prices fuel watercooler talk in the EU quarter:
  • “As of this week, they've raised their prices... €5.20, Ian.”
    — Zoya Shevdolovic, 13:10
  • VAT cut from 21% to 12% may bring relief, but coffee lovers are feeling the pinch.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The vibe in Brussels today is Machiavellian as MEPs quietly size each other up ahead of a midterm power reshuffle.”
  — Zoya Shevdolovic, 00:19
• “Isn't it nice that proper politics breaks out in the EU, don't you think?”
  — Ian Wishart, 03:46
• “People in Brussels have often thought they're above those sorts of issues, haven't they?”
  — Ian Wishart, 08:28
• “Brexit never goes away, does it?”
  — Ian Wishart, 10:14
• “I hear you eat Brexit for breakfast.”
  — Zoya Shevdolovic, 10:15
• “It's very tasty, but it's past its sell by date.”
  — Ian Wishart, 10:18

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Power shuffle in Parliament: 00:57 – 05:41
• Culture wars: Trans rights: 05:49 – 08:56
• Headlines: Macron, Ecofin: 09:09 – 09:49
• UK artists and Erasmus post-Brexit: 09:49 – 12:44
• Coffee prices in Brussels: 13:09 – 13:44

Tone & Style

Conversational, slightly cheeky, and full of inside-Brussels banter—true to POLITICO’s style, with clear reporting and a dash of irreverence.