EU officials reportedly fear it could be won by right-wing firebrand Marine Le Pen or one of her allies from the National Rally party. The EU's next seven-year budget is scheduled to come into force on January 1, 2028. The concern in Brussels is that the National Rally's platform, which includes slashing Paris' contribution to the EU budget and reducing military aid to Ukraine, could disrupt the already complex talks, it said. European Council President Antonio Costa is working to secure a budget deal in the council by the end of 2026, his spokesperson, Maria Tomasik, told journalists on Friday. "At the European Council in December 2026, there will be blood on the walls," a senior EU diplomat told Politico, referring to the negotiations.