Costa draws criticism over handling of divided EU summit
Disagreements over carbon pricing disrupted talks, while northern governments questioned his approach to negotiations on the EU’s next seven-year budget.
Diplomats and officials criticised European Council President António Costa’s chairing of an EU summit after 14 hours of negotiations yielded little progress on energy prices and the bloc’s next seven-year budget. Carbon-pricing disputes led him to cancel a scheduled press conference, according to three EU diplomats.
Five diplomats said Poland, Slovakia, Czechia, Hungary and Italy wanted to postpone ETS2 over concerns about energy bills. The scheme has already been legislated and will extend carbon pricing to heating and transport from 2028. Germany and a group including France, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands and the Nordic countries opposed that position.
One diplomat accused Costa of mishandling proposed amendments, saying leaders had to discuss changes before receiving the relevant texts. Other diplomats defended him, blaming governments that sought to reopen the energy legislation. Costa’s spokesperson declined to comment.
Budget talks prompted separate concerns. Four EU diplomats said northern governments worried that Costa was favouring southern member states. Countries advocating a smaller budget want additional cuts proposed before a special summit scheduled for 26 November. Costa is seeking agreement before the year ends.
Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo called for a deal this year, warning that protracted negotiations would bring greater difficulties. Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever backed Costa’s abilities and welcomed his preference for avoiding detailed negotiations over wording at summits. Some diplomats also continued to express confidence in his ability to broker agreements.
