UK–EU Rejoin Debate: Labour PM Andy Burnham has reopened the Brexit question, saying Britain could “go all the way” to rejoin the EU after weighing options (status quo, customs union, single market, or full membership). EU–UK Diplomacy: France’s Macron and Spain’s Sanchez welcomed the idea, with both also pushing for stronger EU trade defenses against China. Romania Political Crisis: Romania’s parliament rejected PM-designate Siegfried Muresan’s cabinet, deepening deadlock and raising the odds of snap elections. EU Budget Fight: Frugal states and Germany are pressing for cuts of more than €100bn in the next long-term EU budget, while cohesion-heavy countries warn farm and regional funding could be squeezed. Energy Shock & Winter Risk: The EU says it paid over €100bn extra for oil and gas due to global price spikes, even as volumes stayed steady—fueling a push for electrification and faster cross-border grid upgrades. Mediterranean Security: EU member states backed extending the Mediterranean mission IRINI to 2029 and broadening its role against Russia’s shadow fleet. EU Enlargement/Rules: Brussels is also considering tougher safeguards as it prepares for a bigger EU, including possible earlier single-market access for candidate countries. Moldova EU Path: Moldova approved a 2026–2050 energy strategy aimed at cutting imported energy dependence and integrating with ENTSO-E. EU Court Watch: The General Court upheld an EU funding ban affecting six Hungarian universities under rule-of-law conditionality.