Brussels Playbook Podcast Power play in European Parliament
Feb 17, 2026
Ian Wishart, senior European politics editor known for sharp EU maneuvering analysis. He breaks down the early power jockeying in Parliament and talk of a possible third presidency term. They explore far-right bids for committee influence and how trans rights debates are spreading through Brussels and echoing transatlantic culture wars. Plus a quick detour into Brexit impacts on artists and rising coffee prices.
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Early Power Play In Parliament
- The European Parliament is in early, active midterm maneuvering for top jobs and committee chairs.
- Roberta Metsola is seeking a rare third term and party deals and vote-counting shape the outcome.
Far‑Right Presence Tests Traditions
- The surge in far-right MEPs is straining informal taboos against giving them influential parliamentary roles.
- Legal challenges at the EU Court of Justice may decide whether they can be blocked from key positions.
Trans Rights Move Into Brussels
- Debates over trans rights have migrated to Brussels and entered EU institutional spaces.
- Hungarian-backed groups and right-wing MEPs are amplifying anti-trans voices within parliament events.