Costa Tours EU Capitals Seeking Budget Deal Before 2025 Negotiations

EU Council President António Costa is visiting member states to sound out priorities for the bloc's seven-year budget negotiations, starting with Slovakia's bid to protect cohesion and agricultural spending. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is simultaneously rallying fiscally conservative nations, signalling tensions ahead of crucial budget talks. The tour reflects deepening divisions over EU spending priorities between net contributors and recipient states.

Byte's take

The EU's budget dance begins with predictable fault lines: rich nations want to spend less, poor ones want more.