DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics

97 episodes

Is Germany's pension reform reopening the East-West divide?
06/08/2026 | 33 mins.
A landmark pension reform is triggering backlash from eastern Germany and exposing deep divisions within Chancellor Friedrich Merz's party.
Why is Germany's pension system under pressure? Why the resistance? And could this become a serious threat to the government itself?
In this episode of Berlin Briefing, Max Hofmann and Michaela Küfner speak with leading economist Veronika Grimm to find out.
Germany's summer crisis: A cabinet reshuffle gone wrong?
31/07/2026 | 34 mins.
An ad-hoc cabinet reshuffle backfired on German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. With political egos flying and hurt feelings all around, could inner-party frustration threaten government stability? DW's Michaela Küfner and Nina Haase separate political drama from the facts with Reuters' Chief Correspondent Andreas Rinke: Is Merz better at strengthening his government or creating problems for himself?
Merz Under Pressure: What the Berlin Pride Attack Changes for Germany
28/07/2026 | 33 mins.
The attack on Berlin Pride has triggered a political debate. Calls for tougher security measures are getting louder, and pressure is mounting on Friedrich Merz's government amid cabinet reshuffling. DW's Michaela Küfner and Nina Haase discuss with government advisor on extremism Rebecca Schönenbach: What does this moment mean for Germany's politics, its open society, and upcoming state elections?
Burnham's German plan: Why Britain's new PM is looking to Europe
22/07/2026 | 41 mins.
Brexit was supposed to pull Britain away from Europe. Yet 10 years on, Britain's new prime minister is championing ideas that look strikingly familiar to Germans – ideas which Berlin itself is starting to question. This Berlin Briefing deciphers the similarities between Andy Burnham and Germany‘s chancellor; how London may say goodbye to the Westminster System; and what it all means for NATO
What do war games reveal about Europe’s security future?
17/07/2026 | 46 mins.
What can a war game tell us about a real-world security crisis?
In this episode of Berlin Briefing, DW’s Nina Haase speaks with Carolina Drüten, International Security Correspondent at WELT and creator of the podcast Ernstfall, based on a public war game simulating a Russian challenge to NATO's eastern flank and Roman Goncharenko, DW Eastern Europe Security Analyst and Correspondent.

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About DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics

Berlin Briefing has been named Best Political Podcast 2026 by the Podcast Publisher Awards - thank you! Every week we break down how events like Russia's war in Ukraine and European security shifts are shaping Germany - and the world. Whether you’re a student, journalist, or policymaker, hosts Nina Haase, Michaela Küfner, and Max Hofmann and their guests deliver the insights you need to understand where Germany is headed and why it matters, with a hint of Berlin's distinct energy. Subscribe to our newsletter: dw.com/berlinbriefing. Leave us a comment here: newsletter@dw.com. Or find us on YouTube @dwnews and X @dw_politics.

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