EU 2012 budget request sets scene for fresh battle

The European Commission has asked for a 4.9 percent increase in next year's EU budget, setting the scene for a fresh game of tug-of-war between EU member states and the European Parliament.

Presenting the commission's 2012 draft proposal to journalists in Brussels on Wednesday (20 April), EU budget commissioner Janusz Lewandowski said the raise was necessary to meet already-made spending commitments, particularly in the area of EU regional policy.

He predicted the forthcoming ne...