https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/macron-and-merz-hold-keys-to-an-eu-budget-dealContinuously updated, source-cited coverage. https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/macron-and-merz-hold-keys-to-an-eu-budget-dealhttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/macron-and-merz-hold-keys-to-an-eu-budget-deal#u135909Mon, 19 Oct 2026 13:00:16 +0000European Union leaders clashed over a trillion-euro budget plan during an inconclusive summit, pushing formal decisions to November. French President Emmanuel Macron warned peers that the bloc must finalize the spending package before the end of the year, while the EU's Irish presidency proposed an 8 percent cut to the 2028 through 2034 budget plan. Frugal member states are attempting to slash resources, and Cyprus suggested shortening the budget timeline to three or four years. Sweden intends to reject the Irish presidency's proposal.Why it mattersThe European Union faces a high-sta