Ever since a coalition of ecologists nearly beat the Socialists into third place at the European elections in June, French political parties have been wrangling over the environment, each claiming to be greener than the other.

ECONOMIST: Hot air over a tentative carbon tax

Belgian political parties divided along French- and Dutch-speaking lines four decades ago, and most voting districts are split the same way.

ECONOMIST: Charlemagne

Calls by some MEPs to refuse funding for "anti-democratic" political parties was opposed by Bruno Gollnisch from the French National Front, a group that may be affected.

BBC: Budget debate