MFF

Giorgia Meloni and Nicușor Dan rally the Friends of Cohesion against further cuts in the 2028–2034 budget, setting up a clash with the six frugal countries

Using Google fines to cut national contributions is a windfall, not a budget strategy

Germany accuses Council president of losing touch with reality

In Bratislava, Visegrad leaders showed where they will start pushing Brussels as talks on the next Multiannual Financial Framework get serious

Officials say a political framework could be tied to the December budget deal; leaders are expected to touch the file at their October summit

The planned EU-wide Competitiveness Fund, which would distribute money without national quotas, risks channelling funds only to the richest western states

The President of the European Council plans to meet presidents and prime ministers on their home turf to hear “the priorities of Europe’s leaders and the citizens they represent”

The tightening of economic restrictions comes as Latvia seeks €7 billion from the long-term EU budget to mitigate costs of cutting ties with Moscow

Montenegro edges closer to EU membership with a clear financial roadmap while Western Balkans funding shifts to rewarding progress

In the final press conference, European Council President António Costa and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted the need of new sources of budget revenue

Nicosia has rebalanced the proposal in response to concerns raised by the “frugal” countries pushing for tighter spending control

'Friends of Cohesion' form united front against proposed cuts, setting up fierce battle with net contributor states ahead of critical negotiations