Its generous subsidies fuel the oligarchs and a system of corruption in Eastern Europe, the Mafia in Sicily or Queen Elizabeth - at least until the concrete entry into force of Brexit at the end of the year. They also bring at least half of their income to millions of farmers.
Read also: European budget: the Twenty-Seven prepare for the showdown
The common agricultural policy (CAP), the historic pillar of European construction imposed by Charles de Gaulle, is in the hot seat at a time of heartbreaking budgetary choices for the 27, after the withdrawal of Great Britain, the most critical of it.
And yet, it will undoubtedly remain the first item of expenditure for the EU over the 2021-2027 period, under discussion at the Brussels summit on Thursday and Friday. Agriculture only weighs 1.1% of European GDP, the CAP represents 38% of the Union's budget. And the attempts of the Brussels leaders to reduce their weight in favor of the new priorities of a "modern Europe", such as the "green pact", innovation,
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