Elections and political upheaval in the EU’s four biggest economies could stall budget talks

POLITICO reports that Spain votes on Nov. 29, France changes presidents in April, Italy faces a 2027 election, and Germany’s chancellor faces pressure from the rising AfD. EU leaders made no headway on a €2 trillion budget at their latest summit. Diplomats warn that electoral pressures could make a deal harder to reach as the bloc also grapples with a funding gap for Ukraine.