Markus Lanz Returns Tonight with Focus on Trump, NATO, and German Leadership

HAMBURG, 20 January 2026 – Germany’s premier late-night political talk show, “Markus Lanz,” returns to ZDF screens this evening with a line-up poised to dissect the most pressing international crises facing Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government. The episode, airing at 22:45, will feature analysis on US provocations over Greenland, the stability of NATO, and Germany’s economic competitiveness.

Tonight’s Guests and Key Topics

The 75-minute discussion, recorded earlier today in Hamburg, will host a panel of experts and insiders. Leading the conversation will be Claus Ruhe Madsen, the Danish-born CDU Economics Minister for Schleswig-Holstein, who is expected to address the European response to former US President Donald Trump’s renewed threats regarding Greenland. He will be joined by Professor Peter Neumann, a Security Studies expert from King’s College London, who will analyse the risks of a NATO split stemming from the escalating transatlantic tensions.

Providing political analysis from Berlin will be Kerstin Münstermann, head of the parliamentary desk for the “Rheinische Post.” Her focus will be on assessing Chancellor Merz’s crisis management amid a multitude of national and international challenges. Rounding out the panel is Düsseldorf economics professor Jens Südekum, who will contextualise the impact of threatened US tariffs on the EU and Germany’s broader economic outlook.

The “Markus Lanz” Format: A Pillar of German Political Discourse

Since its debut on 3 June 2008, “Markus Lanz” has evolved into one of Germany’s most influential political conversation forums. Airing Tuesday through Thursday nights on ZDF, the show typically features four to five guests per episode, whom host Markus Lanz interviews individually in front of a small group. The format deliberately lacks a single overarching theme, allowing for fluid discussion across politics, society, culture, and personal stories.

The show’s shift in the 2010s from broader entertainment to a sharper focus on political debate, cemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, solidified its reputation as a “Salon der Republik” (Salon of the Republic). Produced by Mhoch2 TV, a company co-owned by Lanz, the programme is filmed without a studio audience, a practice made permanent in 2022 which producers argue leads to more concentrated discussions.

Audience Reach and Influence

The show has maintained strong ratings, with an average of 1.59 million viewers and a 16.2% market share in the first half of 2025. Its influence is notable; for instance, the frequent appearances of SPD politician Karl Lauterbach during the pandemic are cited as a factor in his later appointment as Federal Minister of Health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Markus Lanz?

Markus Lanz, born 16 March 1969 in Bruneck, South Tyrol, is an Italian-German television presenter. He began his career in radio before moving to RTL and later ZDF. Beyond his talk show, he is known for previously moderating “Wetten, dass..?” and for his documentary work.

Has the show faced criticism?

Yes. In January 2014, an online petition calling for Lanz’s dismissal garnered over 230,000 signatures following a contentious interview with politician Sahra Wagenknecht, which critics felt was unfairly confrontational. Lanz later described his behaviour as “rustic and even personal.” The show has also been critiqued for platforming controversial voices during the pandemic, a practice some labelled “false balance.”

Where can I watch “Markus Lanz”?

The show airs live on ZDF on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, typically starting between 22:45 and midnight. All episodes are made available for streaming shortly after broadcast on the ZDFmediathek platform.