The Commission says an extra 9bn euros is needed for cohesion - that is, development projects in the EU's poorer regions - and an extra 2.2bn "to cover needs in practically all other areas of the budget, with the exception of administration, where no additional requests have been made".

BBC: UK challenges new EU demand for 2013 budget cash

The main exception to this is in tax administration, particularly with businesses, which have no vote and, at least in rich countries, can be assumed to have internet access.

ECONOMIST: The pros and cons of e-government

To an even greater degree than their conservative counterparts fifteen years ago, the left-wing leaders of virtually every government in Europe (with the notable exception of Italy's new Berlusconi administration) are adamantly opposed to U.S. anti-missile deployments -- amazingly, even those that would provide protection to their own countries!

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center For Security Policy

Without exception, they cited their involvement with the Administration to demonstrate their standing in pleading for the accused to be sprung.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Undesirable influence

The Obama administration has so far shut the door on this exception.

WSJ: Has Obama Turned on Israel?

Mr. Shuvalov "is more the exception than the rule, " said Alexander Voloshin, his former boss at the Kremlin administration.

WSJ: Share Deals Open Window on Kremlin