The government has accepted President Antonio Costa’s request to mark the 70th anniversary of the Treaties of Rome. This would be the first time since 2003 that the EU Council has been held at a venue other than Brussels.

The ‘frugal’ states and the ‘cohesion’ countries remain entrenched in their respective positions, and negotiations on the 2028–34 European budget have stalled. Funding for competitiveness and defence is at risk, whilst national interests continue to take precedence over European strategic priorities.

The European Union has remained Kyiv’s staunch ally. The Ukrainian president is calling for funding for 2027, sanctions against Russia and the freezing of Russian assets. The challenge facing Europeans and the next taboos to be tackled

Meloni and Frederiksen tabled a joint amendment at the European Council that criticised the mass regularisation programme carried out by Pedro Sánchez’s government. In addition to the Spanish Prime Minister, Emmanuel Macron and other leaders also opposed it. No agreement reached; the text was rejected.

After a day of deadlock, the European Council has asked the Commission to reassess the impact of ETS2, the scheme that will charge for emissions from transport and heating from 2028. Italy did not secure a postponement. No agreement has been reached on the 2028–2034 EU budget.

The Prime Minister’s response. To the Vannacci supporters: “Whose interests are you defending?”. To the left: "Before trying to bring Putin and Trump together, try getting Magi and Fratoianni to agree on a single resolution." The two respond with a photo. Conte: "I have never denied an increase in military spending in my governments." Schlein follows: "We are the real game-changers." Cross-voting on abstentions across the broad coalition on the resolutions

Competitiveness, Ukraine, the multi-annual budget, the Middle East, defence and security, migration, enlargement and reforms: ahead of the forthcoming European Council, the Prime Minister addresses Parliament. Here is the full speech and the responses