484. War in Europe, Trump’s Destruction of Institutions, and Britain’s National Treasures (Question Time)
1 January 2026
Podcast
9 December 2024
What lessons on leadership does Angela Merkel have after 16 years served as Chancellor of Germany? Does she have any regrets from her tenure? What was it like being in East Germany when the Berlin wall fell? And what should Europe do to ensure the future security of Ukraine?
Rory and Alastair are joined by ex-Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, to discuss all this and more.
TRIP Plus:
Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, receive our exclusive newsletter, enjoy ad-free listening to both TRIP and Leading, benefit from discount book prices on titles mentioned on the pod, join our Discord chatroom, and receive early access to live show tickets and Question Time episodes.
Just head to therestispolitics.com to sign up, or start a free trial today on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/therestispolitics.
Instagram:
Twitter:
Email:
Assistant Producer: India Dunkley
Producer: Nicole Maslen
Senior Producer: Dom Johnson
Head of Content: Tom Whiter
Exec Producers: Tony Pastor + Jack Davenport
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
1 minute(s) read
Recent Podcasts
1 January 2026
Posted by Alastair Campbell
483. The Future of British Politics, How The World Order Is Changing, and The Power of History
What does this year look like for the future of British politics? How is the global order going to be reshaped? And will the power of historical narratives become even stronger this year? L... Continue31 December 2025
Posted by Alastair Campbell
Alastair Campbell’s Diary: How we must fight the 3Cs in 2026
Crime, corruption and cruelty show how leaders like Trump and Bukele exploit power, and why they must be stopped... Continue31 December 2025
168. A Climate Special: Populism, Security, and Leadership
Can the planet sustain infinite economic growth, or is GDP a flawed metric? Is the UK genuinely decarbonising, or is it simply outsourcing its pollution? How can politicians defeat the populi... Continue29 December 2025
Posted by Alastair Campbell
482. A Trumpian Year, the Politics of Hope and Highlights of 2025
What surprised Rory and Alastair most about 2025? Why does Trump's presidency feel even more chaotic than expected? And who gets their vote for campaigner of the year? Join Rory and Alastair... Continue25 December 2025
Posted by Alastair Campbell
481. Polanski, Macron & al-Sharaa: The Best & Worst Politicians of 2025
Who deserves the title of UK politician of the year - and who gets worst? What was the most consequential moment of Trump's presidency so far? And can Rory convince Alastair that Christmas is... Continue24 December 2025
Posted by Alastair Campbell
167. Faith, Depression, and Finding Calm in the Chaos (Professor Mark Williams)
From Parliament to Prison, how can people find calm in chaotic environments? How does one cope with grief during the festive period? What are some successful ways to combat depression? Rory... Continue22 December 2025
Posted by Alastair Campbell
19 December 2025
Posted by Alastair Campbell
A very interesting and illuminating interview. Thank you!
But I do wish there had been an option to hear Frau Merkel’s responses in German.
if you get the YouTube version which I posted on social media earlier this week you can go to settings and change language to German
Hi Alastair
This was a great listen but I’d be really interested to watch a video version with the German audio and English subtitles (for when my German fails me….).
I realise the dubbing was needed for the podcast, (and the parts where I heard the original German were dubbed well), but you always lose some nuance when things are translated and not in the original voice.
Kind regards
Andrea
Commenting from Portugal, the view from here of Merkel has always been one of “fear”, contempt, but also admiration of this big political figure. Heavily associated with austerity, even if seen as a symbol of stability.
Such insightful conversation as this one gives us a better look into her mind. I guess in some things really brave, in others with an uncertain legacy.
Thanks for this interesting interview. As a former conference interpreter, I was disappointed that you didn’t acknowledge the person who did the interpreting. Was it AM’s former trusted interpreter at the AA ? AM herself always acknowledged and thanked her interpreter(s) if she had the opportunity to do so.
Did you synch the interpretation differently after the interview as the English soundtrack on the podcast always finished before AM, or was it voiced over afterwards ?
Listening with a professional ear, I find the interpretation very competent but the interpreter is not a native speaker of English which detracts slightly from the overall performance.
we talked about her, and praised her hugely, on a later episode