Leaders of the 27 EU member states are meeting in Brussels on Thursday to discuss the bloc's next budget, hoping to finalize it before a series of elections in their respective countries in 2027.
The budget is expected to reflect the EU's major priorities until 2034, ranging from agriculture and defense to competitiveness and migration.
Among the key issues to be decided are the allocations for farmers and European regions, the size of the financial package for Ukraine and defense, the role to be given to artificial intelligence, and other matters.
The heads of state and government of the 27 EU member states are aiming to resolve these issues before Christmas on December 25.
This urgency stems from the fact that several of these countries, from Italy to Poland, and from Greece to France via Finland, are holding elections in 2027. These elections could bring to power leaders who are not favorably disposed toward the European project, potentially disrupting the budget negotiations.
Among them is Marine Le Pen, leader of the French National Rally party and a far-right presidential candidate, who has pledged a significant reduction in France's contribution to the EU budget if elected.
Le Pen, who traveled to Brussels on the eve of the summit, considered approving the budget before the 2027 elections a "democratic scandal."
Some member states, such as France, Poland, Italy, and Spain, are pushing for an ambitious budget, while others, primarily Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands, support a substantial reduction to the budget proposed by the European Commission.
On Saturday, Ireland, which holds the rotating presidency of the European Union, proposed a €140 billion cut to Brussels' initial proposal, specifically by reducing spending allocated to competitiveness and development aid. But this idea failed to gain support from either side.
After discussing the budget and relations with China, European leaders will address the Ukrainian crisis on Friday, in the presence of President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The agenda also includes European migration policy, which was the subject of heated debate between Spain and Italy during the Ceuta crisis.
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