In today’s edition of The Capitals, read about Ursula von der Leyen’s €2 trillion budget power grab going down like a bucket of cold sick across Europe, Giorgia Meloni’s government hitting 1,000 days in office, and Europe’s alphabet soup.

The paper from the European AI Forum – calling for a switch to a US-style approach to funding the AI hubs – follows the Commission signalling it's open to alternatives.

What you need to know about how the Commission wants to spend money on digital

Paris trims its EU bill after behind-the-scenes push, handing Bayrou a win, easing pressure on his austerity drive and spoiling Le Pen’s narrative.

Discontent rises as Meloni government hits rare milestone, with poll showing 62% disapproval and cracks in coalition popularity.

Madrid renews migration pact with Mauritania, eyeing tighter controls, deeper security ties amid rising regional instability, and intensifying business, trade and investment relations.

Czechia blasts Slovakia for omitting Russian link in school bomb threat case, accusing Bratislava of framing Ukraine while burying key intel.

Health was mentioned only indirectly by both Commissioner Serafin and Commission President von der Leyen, as the spotlight shifted firmly to competitiveness.

A forthcoming Eurobarometer survey is expected to show broad public support for higher tobacco taxes across the EU.

The survival of environmental NGOs is also at risk, as core funding becomes uncertain under the proposed new structure.

The Commission failed to land final numbers, six commissioners rebelled, and Parliament briefings were repeatedly delayed or cancelled throughout the day.

The Creative Europe and Creative Europe and Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programmes are being merged into a better funded media-culture joint support vehicle.

Over €4 billion a year for cross-border energy projects could bring the EU closer to a truly integrated power grid

Unhappy French MEP and co-chair of the sky and space intergroup, Christophe Grudler, said Parliament would seek to reroute the Commission plan to just "hand out billions blindly".

Farmers warn of deep cuts and a dismantled CAP as the EU unveils its next long-term budget.

The Commission has defended ring-fencing income support, but funding for rural areas will largely depend on the member states

The pharmaceutical industry is expected to cover 57% of the additional €466 million expected for the 2026 budget, through a reinforced clawback mechanism and budgetary guarantees.

A company official said the hydrogen market is “niche” and has no prospects of medium-term economic sustainability.

With the Commission also presenting its long-term EU budget this week, MEPs underlined the need for adequate funding to ensure the Biotech Act can support the sector's innovation

The Commission's proposed budget would be both the biggest and most complex in EU history

The proposal represents a fivefold increase in funding for defence and space compared to the current budget cycle.

The Danish Minister of Culture also presented the proposal in the European Parliament on Wednesday.

The US President is planning to give EU drugmakers a year's notice to relocate to the United States.

Former EU Brexit negotiator seeks return to frontline politics, entering race for French parliamentary seat.