Online news outlet Politico to launch in Europe

Politico, the online Washington political news publication, is to partner with the German media conglomerate Axel Springer to create a European edition of Politico, a new digital political media offering in-depth coverage of European politics and policy.

The new media company will be headquartered in Brussels, and it’s understood that the 50/50 joint venture could hire up to 100 staff within two years.

In an internal memo to staff, president & CEO Jim VandeHei and editor-in-chief John F. Harris said that the announcement is the “ start of a very important project for us, and we will have many details to share in the weeks ahead,”

While based in Brussels, Politico’s European arm will cover European politics and policy more broadly.

“This partnership is aimed at exploring journalistic opportunities in Europe and is being set up as a stand-alone enterprise,” the memo said.

Founded in 2007 by publisher Robert Allbritton, president & CEO Jim VandeHei and editor-in-chief John F. Harris, Politico describes itself as a "one-stop shop for the fastest, most in-depth coverage of the White House, Congress, politics and policy". It has 7 million unique visitors a month.

Former Politico CEO Fred Ryan was recently appointed publisher of the Washington Post by owner Jeff Bezos, replacing Katharine Weymouth.