The clock is ticking on the EU’s next budget

Brussels Playbook Podcast

POLITICO

News, News Commentary, Politics

4.4 • 202 Ratings

🗓️ 22 April 2026

⏱️ 14 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Brussels faces a narrowing window to strike a deal on its next long-term budget. EU leaders gather in Cyprus this week for a potential clash over the bloc’s €1.8 trillion plan — already dividing north and south, farmers and reformers, capitals and Brussels. Council President Antonio Costa wants momentum. But with proposed new EU taxes, debt repayments and looming elections on the table, compromise looks distant. On today’s episode, Ian Wishart and Ryan Heath break down what’s at stake — and why this battle is only just beginning. They also dig into the Commission’s new emergency energy package, as fears of a new crisis grow — driven by the war in Iran and disruption to oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz. Plus: A rekindled Paris–Brussels romance raises awkward questions about power, politics and conflicts of interest. Got a question or a comment? Contact us on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. Further reading: Magyar wants to put the Austro-Hungarian Empire back on the map Germany spearheads effort to weaken EU's AI rules Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:23.8	Good morning. It's Wednesday the 22nd of April and this is the Brussels Playbook podcast.
0:35.9	The vibe in Brussels today is
0:37.9	Kaching, that's the sound of money.
0:40.8	Because yes, it's that time again.
0:42.3	It only happens every seven years,
0:44.2	even less frequently than the World Cup,
0:46.2	and only half as often as hungry gets a new Prime Minister.
0:49.1	The EU is working out its budget again.
0:51.8	European Council President Antonio Costa
0:53.8	wants to make headway at the summit this week.
0:57.3	And also on the podcast today, with an energy crisis on the horizon, the commission is presenting
1:02.1	its emergency energy package today, but not everyone is convinced.
1:07.2	And the news that French presidential hope for Gabriel Atal and European Industry Commissioner Stefan Sejone are back together.
1:14.7	Yes, it's the on-off, on-off relationship soap opera that has gripped political geeks in Brussels and Paris like nothing else has us asking about other romantic tie-ups in the corridors of power.
1:26.3	I'm Ian Wishart, Politico's Senior EU Politics Editor, and with me again today is Ryan Heath, the original author of the Brussels Playbook. Eleven, I said 10 years last week, it's actually 11 years, isn't it? It is. We operate in just dog years here at all. And you're back with us because, as we said last week, you're launching playbook Canberra. I am indeed. How long
1:45.2	have we got you still in Brussels? You've left the bit off the script about the outpouring of love for me. I was going to get to that. The outpouring of love, Ryan. What do you think about the outpouring of love for your voice? I'm drowning in it still. I'm still wet. Not usual for an Australian, is it?
2:01.0	So shall we talk about the summit in Cyprus?
2:03.2	If we must.
	...

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