Tough EU budget negotiations threaten deal ahead of super-election year in Europe

The intense negotiations over the EU's budget, which will shape the policies for the next seven years, are becoming more heated. The disagreements between the so-called frugal camp, led by Germany, who advocate for austerity, and the cohesion advocates, including Spain and Italy, who demand more funds, risk scuttling an agreement on the multiannual financial framework before the end of the year.

This is unfolding in a politically very tense atmosphere and in the run-up to an unusually early electoral year in Europe. "Honestly, we are not in a hurry. The Swedish citizens are not the ATM of the EU," said Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on Thursday in Brussels, advocating for a tough budget. "We are working with a clearly insufficient proposal," warned Spanish President Pedro Sánchez.