The European Parliament is currently facing a budgetary deadlock. MEPs are proposing an increase of €1 billion over the European Commission's budget for 2025, while national capitals are seeking to cut nearly €10 billion from EU programs.

Despite the lack of an agreement, MEP Victor Negrescu remains optimistic about negotiations. However, this impasse has left the Parliament in a weakened position against the Council, according to Rasmus Andresen, the lead Greens MEP on the budgets committee.

This situation highlights a divide among traditional and centrist parties in the European Parliament, which are crucial in countering the rise of far-right factions ahead of the upcoming EU elections. The European People's Party (EPP), the largest group, initially reached a compromise with left-wing and centrist parties but later aligned with far-right groups, including the Sovereignists and European Conservatives and Reformists. This shift included an amendment advocating for increased funding for external border barriers and the exploration of deportation centers outside the EU, drawing criticism from the EPP's usual allies.