EU parliament rejects budget deal

In a setback to the European Union, the major parties in its parliament today rejected a tentative deal on a seven-year €960bn budget that is supposed to kick in next year.

Today’s move extended the problems for the 27 EU nations that have been trying since last autumn to cobble together a budget for the years 2014-2020 at a time when many are mired in recession as they grapple with their debts. At the same time, a reinvigorated parliament has been clamouring for more clout in the way the EU is run.