17 countries join forces to oppose EU budget cuts

What happened: Seventeen EU governments signed a letter warning against cuts to agriculture and regional payouts in the next seven-year EU budget, rebuking Germany's stance in the negotiations. Key numbers: The letter seeks to leave untouched almost €900 billion of spending. A rival camp of six countries led by Germany wants cuts of several hundred billion euros. Why it matters: The letter pressures the Irish rotating presidency of the Council of the EU ahead of next week's draft budget, setting up tensions with the Germany-led camp.

Seventeen EU governments signed a letter warning against cuts to agriculture and regional payouts in the next seven-year EU budget, rebuking Germany's stance in the negotiations.

The letter pressures the Irish rotating presidency of the Council of the EU ahead of next week's draft budget, setting up tensions with the Germany-led camp.