The EU institutions are battling over the level of the long-term budget, in jargon the MFF (Multi-annual Financial Framework), in the post-Brexit years. The European Council, convened in a special session on 20th and 21th February, failed to reach an agreement over the level of spending, being torn between so-called "Friends of Cohesion" and "Frugal Countries". While the Commission urges EU leaders to finalise a deal in quick time, the European Parliament threatens to veto any agreement that doesn't meet the Union's political ambitions.

Today we’re joined by Spanish MEP and College alumnus Luis Garicano (Renew Europe), who guides us through the MFF negotiations and the position embraced by the four main political groups of the European Parliament. This episode was recorded at the radio studios of the European Parliament in Brussels. (24 February 2020)

Produced and hosted by: Giulio Gipsy Crespi and Anne Malavaud

Music: "Open Flames" by Blue Dot Sessions (album "Aeronaut")

This track is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0: