Tessera

When the motorcades carrying the EU’s presidents and prime ministers pull into Brussels for high-stakes negotiations every few months, it’s Pedro Lourtie’s job to make sure they leave with a deal.

How Pedro Lourtie became the EU’s dealmaker in chief

Council President António Costa’s chief of staff is in charge of building consensus between capitals. It’s a job that’s only getting harder.

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EU leaders are meeting to discuss how quickly they can boost defense spending amid growing threats from hostile powers and increasing uncertainty over Donald Trump’s plans. But the clock is ticking to work out how to pay for it. More in Brussels Playbook:

Crunch time on defense spending

POLITICO’s must-read briefing on what’s driving the day in Brussels, by Gerardo Fortuna, Nicholas Vinocur and Gabriel Gavin. By GABRIEL GAVIN Send tips here | Follow us @gerardofortuna @Nicho…

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The European Commission is drawing up plans to give EU candidate countries economic benefits before they join the bloc, as governments search for ways to speed up enlargement without lowering the bar for entry.

Inside the EU’s latest plan to keep would-be members close

The scheme would offer candidate countries EU perks before membership — without the political rights that doomed earlier proposals.

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Ursula von der Leyen is heading to the South Caucasus to strengthen the EU’s ties with partners in the contested region — and to counter Russia’s attempts to regain its grip. Brussels Playbook has more👇

Von der Leyen goes east

POLITICO’s must-read briefing on what’s driving the day in Brussels, by Gerardo Fortuna, Nicholas Vinocur and Gabriel Gavin. By GABRIEL GAVIN Send tips here | Follow us @gerardofortuna @Nicho…

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A group of EU leaders will use today’s summit in Brussels to launch an all-out revolt against the bloc’s planned €2 trillion budget, with looming national elections threatening to upend delicate negotiations. Brussels Playbook has more 👇 www.politico.eu/newsletter/b...

The battle of the budget

Presented by Meta By GABRIEL GAVIN PRESENTED BY Send tips here | Follow us @gerardofortuna @NicholasVinocur @GabrielGavin | Listen to Playbook and view in your browser GOOD MORNING. I’m G…

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The EU is developing robust safeguards to ensure future member countries cannot backslide on reforms or use their veto power to obstruct the bloc after joining, Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said.

EU developing rules to ‘bite hard’ if new members go rogue, says enlargement chief

The bloc must be ready to admit hardworking candidate countries — with safeguards in place to ensure they stay on track, Commissioner Marta Kos told POLITICO.

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EXCLUSIVE: Hungary's anti-corruption watchdog wants top officials in the government of former Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán investigated over their involvement in an alleged scheme to defraud European taxpayers. 🔗 www.politico.eu/article/hung...

EU leaders are seeking consensus on a plan to offer candidate countries some of the economic and political benefits of membership while they navigate the years-long process of joining the bloc.

EU inches toward ‘membership-lite’ plan for candidate countries

Europe must “keep its promises” to those that want to join, Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal told POLITICO.

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France’s Emmanuel Macron and Germany’s Friedrich Merz will join a group of EU leaders at a summit today as capitals try to reach consensus on how far, and how fast, the bloc’s enlargement process should go.

Macron and Merz head to Montenegro as EU races to secure its next frontier

Candidate countries, including Ukraine, say the enlargement process needs to accelerate as enemies circle.

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EU countries will be asked to support sanctions on Israeli politicians accused of breaching the rights of foreign activists detained as part of a flotilla that attempted to reach Gaza.

‘Extremist’ Israeli ministers face EU sanctions push

Czechia has vowed to veto new restrictions, setting the stage for a showdown at a summit later this month.

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Ursula von der Leyen will ask top officials to back a major crackdown on subsidized Chinese imports. The move will set the stage for a clash with EU countries that still want to protect their ties with Beijing.

Von der Leyen gears up for fight over China trade ties

The European Commission president has long wanted to protect key industries against Beijing. But not everyone is on board.

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Ursula von der Leyen wants to protect EU industries by making it harder for China to flood the European market. Her plan faces its first major test today. Brussels Playbook has more 👇

Who backs bashing Beijing?

POLITICO’s must-read briefing on what’s driving the day in Brussels, by Gerardo Fortuna, Nicholas Vinocur and Gabriel Gavin. By GABRIEL GAVIN Send tips here | Follow us @gerardofortuna @Nicho…

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The wealthier EU countries that bankroll the bloc's spending are stepping up efforts to scale back Brussels' proposed €1.8 trillion long-term budget.

EU’s net payers prepare revolt as €1.8 trillion budget takes shape

Member countries are clashing over spending levels in the Commission’s proposal from 2028 to 2034.

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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will travel to Lithuania on Tuesday following a string of drone incursions that have seen citizens told to find safety in basements and bomb shelters.

Von der Leyen to head to Lithuania for drone crisis talks

The visit comes after the three Baltic nations sounded the alarm over airspace incursions.

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The European Commission wants to capitalize on the crisis facing German industry to try to convince Berlin to give Brussels tougher powers to protect the economy from cheap Chinese imports.

EU bets Germany will back trade clampdown as ‘Chinese steamroller’ squeezes industry

Fears over flagging industries has created an opportunity for Brussels to get tough on Beijing, officials and diplomats say.

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European Council President António Costa is on track to win reelection in six months. That could scupper European People’s Party chief Manfred Weber’s ambition to cement the center right’s control over the EU institutions. Brussels Playbook knows more 👇

Costa’s win could be Weber’s loss

POLITICO’s must-read briefing on what’s driving the day in Brussels, by Gerardo Fortuna, Nicholas Vinocur and Gabriel Gavin. By GABRIEL GAVIN Send tips here | Follow us @gerardofortuna @Nicho…

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The EU will step up efforts to reduce its economic reliance on China and protect its industries from a glut of cheap imports, under new proposals drafted by Brussels that are due to be discussed by leaders next month.

EU Commission plans new squeeze on Chinese trade

The proposals will be put to European leaders at a summit next month, officials say.

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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's plans for a major reset with the EU risk falling flat if he doesn't relax his negotiating “red lines.”

UK must drop ‘red lines’ for real EU reset, Brussels warns

“How revolutionary can it be?” one EU official asked, as PM Keir Starmer insists he won’t support economic integration.

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U.K. PM Keir Starmer is pushing for a post-Brexit reset, promising to put Britain “at the heart of Europe.” But not everyone in the EU is convinced. Brussels Playbook has more 👇

Reset? What reset?

POLITICO’s must-read briefing on what’s driving the day in Brussels, by Gerardo Fortuna, Nicholas Vinocur and Gabriel Gavin. By GABRIEL GAVIN Send tips here | Follow us @gerardofortuna @Nicho…

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The departure of Belén Martínez Carbonell, secretary-general of the European External Action Service, has sparked a search for a successor who can “rescue” the bloc’s foreign service.

EU foreign service’s ‘existential’ race for new top official

Belén Martínez Carbonell’s departure has intensified fears that the EU’s diplomatic arm is losing influence as geopolitical crises intensify.

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Hungary’s new Prime Minister Péter Magyar has today been sworn in, ending Viktor Orbán’s 16-year hold on power and raising hopes for a rapprochement with the EU.

EU hails ‘new chapter’ as Magyar sworn in as Hungary’s prime minister

“We are ready to work with the new Hungarian government,” said European Council President António Costa, as Viktor Orbán left office.

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Countries that don't welcome European companies into their markets shouldn't expect access to EU goods and services contracts, the bloc's top industry official has warned.

Open your markets if you want EU cash, industry chief tells US and other trade partners

Stéphane Séjourné said support for a “European Preference” to protect the bloc’s industries is growing.

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EXCLUSIVE: The EU will appoint a senior Finnish diplomat as its new ambassador to the U.K., as British PM Keir Starmer pushes for a new rapprochement with the bloc.

EU to appoint Jukka Salovaara as new ambassador to UK

The veteran Finnish diplomat will become Brussels’ envoy in London.

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