Brussels' Halloween guide: who in the EU is afraid of whom
POLITICO Europe has compiled a Halloween-themed look at the political fears gripping Brussels, from Marine Le Pen's presidential chances in France to the European Parliament's budget standoff.
On 30 October, ahead of Halloween, POLITICO Europe published a tongue-in-cheek overview of the political scenarios and personalities currently causing unease in the European Union's institutions in Brussels. The tone is ironic, but the piece cites a number of concrete political facts.
French elections and the ECB
The biggest worry for EU diplomats, officials and lawmakers, according to the outlet, is a possible victory by Marine Le Pen, the front-runner in France's presidential race. It is unclear whether she would keep her promise to halve Paris's contribution to the EU budget. Brussels had warmed slightly to the idea of Jordan Bardella as the candidate, but those hopes faded when a Paris appeals court cleared Le Pen herself to run.
The next head of the European Central Bank (ECB) may in turn face the plan of left-wing candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon. He is on course to reach the runoff and wants the ECB to waive interest payments on a large part of France's debt. Critics warn this could even get France expelled from the euro. Christine Lagarde will leave the ECB presidency in February; Dutchman Klaas Knot and Spaniard Pablo Hernández de Cos are named as the frontrunners to succeed her.
Red tape, budget and internal tensions
The number of amendments filed in the European Parliament has risen sharply, and parliamentary assistants and lobbyists link this to the spread of generative AI. Some amendments cite legislation that does not exist.
Austria's Europe Minister Claudia Bauer is leading a campaign to cut the European Commission's administrative spending in the next seven-year budget. With backing from most EU capitals, the latest proposal reduces it by 8%.
Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall is squeezed between industry commissioner Stéphane Séjourné, who is leading the upcoming Circular Economy Act, and simplification commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis of Latvia, who wants a deal on cutting red tape in environmental laws by year-end.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb has phoned Russian President Vladimir Putin, while EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has made clear she dislikes such outreach. European Council President António Costa also claims a role in such talks.
Manfred Weber, leader of the European People's Party (EPP), is trying to unite the group before the 2029 elections, but national delegations clash over cooperating with the far right. Parliament, meanwhile, threatens to reject the long-term budget, which needs 361 of 720 votes.
