Complete lack of influence at EU summits

A Brussels-focused newsletter on campaigning, lobbying, and political influence in the EU reports that there will be no social media “content creators” at next week’s European Council. Council spokesperson Romain Sadet said influencers won’t be attending the Oct. 15–16 summit, responding to concerns that creators may not need to disclose who pays them, unlike EU-accredited journalists. Earlier reporting suggested the Council had floated inviting influencers to broaden reach. The newsletter also notes that several diplomats said their countries hadn’t submitted any names, citing logistical problems and budget constraints. Separate reporting describes pressure on Croatian MEP Romana Jerković after a POLITICO investigation into a taxpayer-funded Strasbourg trip involving friends and family listed as doctors and academics.