Merz's election troubles deepen as EU faces hybrid-attack fears and budget fight
Two German state elections have added fresh pressure on Chancellor Friedrich Merz, while EU foreign ministers in New York discussed how Europe should respond to potentially deadly Russian hybrid attacks.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is facing renewed pressure after two state elections delivered disappointing results, according to the latest Politico Brussels Playbook Podcast episode hosted by Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur. The hosts say the outcomes are fueling fresh doubts about Merz's leadership and raising broader questions about what a weakened Germany could mean for the rest of Europe, given the country's traditional weight in shaping EU policy.
Concerns over Russian hybrid attacks
The podcast also highlights growing concern across Europe about Russian hybrid attacks. The issue was discussed by EU foreign ministers meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. According to the hosts, ministers focused on how Europe should respond if one of these hybrid attacks were to turn deadly, reflecting rising anxiety about the potential escalation of such incidents.
Budget fight reaches beyond Brussels insiders
Meanwhile, in Brussels, the battle over savings in the European Union's next seven-year budget is intensifying. The podcast notes that the dispute is now pushing some EU officials outside the so-called "Schuman bubble" — the usual inner circle of EU institutional politics — as the fight over cuts becomes increasingly tangible and consequential for a wider set of officials than typically engaged in such negotiations.
