Episode 12: David McAllister MEP - London Playbook's Jack Blanchard - Azerbaijan Scandal

<p>Host Ryan heath talks to David McAllister, head of the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee and a key ally of German Chancellor Angela Merkel.</p> <p>McAllister says the U.K.'s decision to leave the EU is a &quot;historic mistake&quot; and Turkey's authoritarian drift is “appalling.&quot; He also says the EU cannot slam the door on the membership aspirations of Western Balkan countries.</p> <p>McAllister says that while “there aren't many people who really believe that Martin Schulz could become German chancellor,” it would be a terrible mistake for the ruling CDU party to be complacent about their opinion poll lead.</p> <p>On Brexit, McAllister warns “the clock is ticking” for negotiators and said the U.K. needs to do more to bring the divorce talks forward.</p> <p>Also on the podcast this week, Jack Blanchard, the editor of the new POLITICO London Playbook, explains where Brexit is likely to bite most.</p> <p>In our &quot;EU WTF&quot; feature, Ailbhe Finn and Harry Cooper discuss an extraordinary set of money laundering and bribery allegations tied to the ruling elite of Azerbaijan, which has denied the accusations.</p> <p>And in our Dear POLITICO advice section we hear from a staff member of the EU-funded European House of History who has a string of complaints about the working conditions there — and we hear the EU side of the story too.</p>