10. If this is how it is being received WITHIN von der Leyen's commission — just imagine once it lands across the road in the council, where EU countries will tear it apart for the next two years. Fun times ahead.

9. Parts of the proposal have been controversial with pretty much everyone, which is why von der Leyen's commission is yet to agree on it, and deputy commissioners are fighting it out non-stop since last night. Picture courtesy of someone inside the building LOL

8. That's likely to force capitals to make stark choices, defence over regional funding being the obvious one. And as such has already provoked an upheaval in a majority of countries, regions, and other beneficiaries.
www.ft.com/content/efbb...

7. On the latter — aka what is the money spent on — the commission is overhauling distribution by giving countries more leeway to decide what to spend the money on. Strong vested interests, like farmers, have won safeguards on their subsidies.
www.ft.com/content/e8b2...

6. The next fight will be who gets what aka how the pie's cut. This is twofold, both among countries and across priorities. On the first, funds are shifting Eastward, though the movement won't be massive (though that won't prevent 'losers' to fight back)
www.ft.com/content/c668...

5. To which countries including Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Austria, but also "formerly frugal" Denmark and Finland have said: you're joking right?
www.ft.com/content/4559...

4. the commission also wants the ability to tap the markets to raise cash for "needs arising from...severe crises, severe hardship or serious threat thereof." Crucially, Brussels would only need a majority backing of EU countries to do so.
www.ft.com/content/2f12...

3. To make up the shortfall, the commission is proposing a host of new levies, including a tax on companies that turn over €50m/y, another on e-waste, a fee on flown-in packages, and hikes in tobacco tax, custom duties, VAT, etc.
www.ft.com/content/238c...

2. How does the EU pay for it? Mostly from taxpayers' money, with richer countries paying in more than they get out. But Germany, largest net payer, has ruled out paying more, as have the Netherlands, Austria, Sweden www.ft.com/content/f71b...