Warnings of 'Voodoo Statistics' as EU Budget Battle Looms

The European Union's seven-year budget battle is about to begin in earnest.

EU leaders meet in Brussels Thursday to decide the actual size and priorities of the bloc's next seven-year spending plan.

It's likely to run to more than 1 trillion euros. The EU is divided into two main camps. Those who believe they're already spending enough, and those who benefit from a big slice of EU money that gets allocated to Europe's poorer regions.

EU lawmakers also have a say, and they believe the current offer on the table cannot pay for policy ambitions like fighting climate change and developing the digital economy. The summit is nominally for one day, but many expect it to run longer.

Some say another meeting will be needed.

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