After the popular rejection of the proposed EU constitution in France and the Netherlands, the acrimonious break-up of budget talks in June, and multiple setbacks to economic reform (symbolised by the German election result), most European leaders were anxious for any budget settlement.

ECONOMIST: Another splendid compromise forged in Brussels | The

The 10-Minute Rule does not mean that the only way to break up the presentation is by introducing multiple speakers.

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