More on the full council position, Erasmus, a €2.3 billion customs revenue boost, tobacco taxes, Erasmus, space, angry regions, next week’s agenda and MEPs’ slow MFF start here: www.euractiv.com/news/budget-...

EU countries are fighting over whether to earmark parts of the new €234 billion competitiveness fund for SMEs, poorer regions, health or climate and environment
www.euractiv.com/news/poorer-...

A new proposed EU food tax that could generate €2.5 billion a year was roasted by Commission directorates as unscientific and procedurally incorrect
www.euractiv.com/news/eu-food...

Countries shared their first full “negotiating box” last week, which included demands to restructure EU institutions to cut costs.

www.euractiv.com/news/capital...

See also fresh council negotiating documents on the new €234 billion competitiveness fund, the €200 billion Global Europe and the new own resources meant to finance the budget.

www.euractiv.com/news/budget-...

The real test for the Commission’s new design will be whether it can survive negotiations without being watered down until it once again resembles the old budget.

As reported on Friday (and picked up by Politico on Monday), countries are ready to merge agriculture and regional subsidies in the next budget. www.euractiv.com/news/eu-coun...

But that doesn’t mean the fight is over.