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.

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