An agreement should be reached by December, but everyone wants something different: how will the EU have a budget like this?

The recent EU summit leaders dedicated minimal attention to the crucial topic of the next seven-year budget, indicating a significant distance from agreement. They tasked António Costa with advancing negotiations to reach a compromise before the budget takes effect in 2028, emphasizing the urgency of reaching a deal by the end of 2026 to ensure uninterrupted funding for beneficiaries starting January 2028.