Brussels
E.U. finance ministers have rejected the budget drawn up by British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who currently holds the rotating E.U. presidency. Blair’s plan would drastically slash aid to the union’s newest, poorest members from the former communist East, while preserving a hefty rebate for the U.K. “It’s a wonderful document,” said Spain’s Pedro Solbes sarcastically, “for the United Kingdom.” The British said they would consider cutting the rebate, but only if France agreed to cut subsidies to its farmers. The budget is supposed to be approved by next week’s E.U. summit.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.