James Angelos, Germany news editor at POLITICO, and Jeff Rathke, president of the American-German Institute, dive into the seismic shifts from Germany's recent parliamentary elections. They discuss the far-right Alternative for Germany's rise and the impact of the previous U.S. administration on transatlantic ties. The conversation explores Germany's evolving foreign policy, increased military support for Ukraine, and the challenge of balancing relations with Russia and China amid changing geopolitics. Insightful perspectives on the future of centrist coalitions are also shared.

In this engaging discussion, James Angelos, POLITICO's news editor in Berlin, Jana Puglierin, Senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, and Nick Vinocur, POLITICO's editor-at-large, analyze the implications of Friedrich Merz's election as Germany's chancellor-in-waiting. They explore the challenges of coalition-building amid a rise in extremist parties, the shifting dynamics of transatlantic relations, and Europe's urgent need for leadership in response to geopolitical tensions, particularly regarding Ukraine and energy independence.

Hanne Cokelaere, James Angelos, and Aitor Hernández-Morales, POLITICO reporters, dive deep into the motivations behind the rising support for far-right parties across Europe. They discuss the changing demographics of these voters, including younger supporters and women. Economic hardship and fears surrounding education and public services emerge as significant factors driving this shift. The conversation also touches on surprising trends in countries like Portugal and Germany, revealing a complex picture of disillusionment with mainstream politics.