The next episode of the talk show "Maybrit Illner" will air on Thursday, July 23, 2026, starting at 10:15 PM on ZDF. Here are the guests and the topic of the upcoming show.
What is the topic of the ZDF talk show "Maybrit Illner"?
The topic of the show is: Between Trump and Putin - is Europe being crushed?
Trump's war against Iran is not over. The U.S. President continues to threaten and bomb, for the first time since early June targeting Tehran again. Germany and the European Union? They still play no role in resolving the conflict - but are massively feeling the consequences: The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is driving up gas prices and inflation. Trump is once again demanding support, but not only the Chancellor is refusing him. Europe still needs the USA, but they are no longer acting like an ally, but like an adversary. In any case, nobody wants to rely on their military support anymore.
Is Europe ready and able to stand up for Ukraine and its own security? How far has the continent come on the path to political and military independence from the USA?
Which guests will be discussing on Maybrit Illner's show?
- Niclas Herbst (CDU), Chairman of the CDU/CSU Group in the European Parliament, member of the Committee on Security and Defense
- Sergey Lagodinsky (B'90/The Greens), Deputy Group Chairman of the Greens/EFA in the European Parliament
- Rüdiger Lucassen (AfD), Member of Parliament, defense policy spokesman for the AfD parliamentary group from 2017 to 2026, former Colonel of the Bundeswehr
- Gregor Gysi (The Left), Member of Parliament, former chairman and former foreign policy spokesman of the parliamentary group
- Liana Fix, historian and political scientist, Senior Fellow for Europe at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) Washington D.C.
- Annett Meiritz, International Correspondent at "Handelsblatt"
The ZDF talk show "Maybrit Illner"
The weekly political talk show "Maybrit Illner" has been broadcast on ZDF since October 14, 1999, and is produced at the capital city studio Unter den Linden in Berlin. Hosted by the experienced Berlin journalist Maybrit Illner (born 1965), the show is characterized by its dynamic and in-depth discussions on current political and social issues. Illner regularly invites leading figures from politics, business, and society to discuss pressing questions affecting Germany and the world.
The show is known for its special formats and occasional special editions, such as "TV-Duell der Opposition" or "illner intensiv", which offer deeper insights and discussions during times of political and social turning points.
Each show is available in the media library of the public broadcasters from the time of broadcast.
