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EU Budget

Europe News

EU institutions pile on pressure for 'ambitious' budget, new resources

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Europe Today

Clash over EU cash set to dominate today's Budget Conference

The battle over the EU's next long-term budget will be on full display at today's Annual EU Budget Conference as member states clash over spending priorities, Ireland takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, and we speak to the EU's head of aid operations in Venezuela.

Europe News

Five pressing tasks for Ireland as it takes over EU Council presidency

Ireland has kicked off its six-month presidency of the EU Council. From accession to the budget, here are the five most pressing tasks.

Europe News

EU leaders aim for October draft deal on €2 trillion budget

Battle lines are being drawn between member states on EU spending, with southern and eastern states seeking more for agriculture and regional funding while hawkish governments push back.

Europe Today

Cypriot minister aims to keep 'building' on EU accession momentum

As the last days of Cyprus’s rotating EU presidency approach, Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Marilena Raouna, says her country will work "very hard" to open the remaining phases of talks on Ukraine and Moldova's EU membership.

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Europe News

EU summit ends after discussions on EU budget and Middle-East

The second day of the EU summit has come to an end in Brussels. The European leaders discussed the bloc's long-term budget, the Middle East, and relations with Israel.

Europe News

EU leaders hold talks on common budget in battle for cash

EU governments will hold substantial negotiations on how to allocate €2 trillion of the European common budget over the next seven years, pitting frugals calling for cuts against member states defending money for agriculture to be preserved in tough talks ahead.

Europe Today

Watch: Behind closed doors—Ukraine, taxes, and trade at this week's European Council Summit

Tonight, Council President António Costa is gathering all twenty-seven national leaders for an exclusive, high-stakes working dinner. Sadly, he forgot to invite your reporter, but that doesn't stop us from seeing what will be served on the multi-course menu.

Europe News

EU leaders meet to discuss Ukraine, China shock and €2 trillion budget

Russia's war on Ukraine, unfair Chinese competition and the next long-term budget top the agenda of the EU summit.

Europe News

EU Parliament rejects member states’ first draft of long-term budget

EU lawmakers called the document “insufficient” and criticised proposed spending cuts of €32.8 billion. Because the budget requires Parliament’s approval, pressure is mounting to reach an agreement by the end of 2026.

Europe News

Cyprus proposes €32.8 billion cut to next EU budget as compromise

Cyprus proposes a 2% cut — worth €32.8bn — to the EU's draft €2 trillion budget for 2028–2034, in a bid to bridge the gap between "frugals" and cohesion-minded member states. The figures, now on the table for the first time, will serve as the starting point for the sensitive negotiations ahead.

Europe News

EU budget, Meloni: scrap rebates or Italy will demand them too

The Italian Prime Minister has attacked the EU's disbursement to so-called frugal states and warned Brussels that Rome's patience with them is at an end.

Nature

Venice Lagoon becomes surprise hit with pink flamingos

24,000 pink flamingos were spotted in the famous lagoon in 2025 - 6,000 more than in 2024.

Europe News

EU tax proposals could yield up to €11bn per year, Commission says

European Commission is examining proposals to finance the next EU budget through tax changes targeting digital services, gambling and crypto assets.

EU.XL

Could the EU’s next budget shrink civil society and NGOs?

The European Commission says its next long-term budget will strengthen democratic values. Civil society groups warn it could instead quietly weaken NGOs by removing protected funding and shifting control to national governments.

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"Super Mario" celebrated for defending the euro and European unity

Former European Central Bank president Mario Draghi received the 2026 Charlemagne Prize on Thursday, 14 May, in Aachen, Germany, in recognition of his contributions to European unity and his leadership during the eurozone debt crisis of the 2010s.

EU.XL

Why the EU needs to rethink its budget to match its priorities

Experts warn that the EU’s next long-term budget needs “fundamental rethinking” and offers little real new spending power as Europe faces growing demands on defence, climate, and Ukraine.