Close a €54 billion hole. Survive the year.
You are the budget minister. Twelve monthly episodes, one impossible arithmetic problem: restore the public accounts without losing parliament, the bond markets or the street.
On the current path: 5.9% deficit and a growing interest bill
- Every year of delay adds roughly €30bn to the debt.
- 16% of the debt is refinanced every year at current rates.
- Markets react to every announcement, not to the end of the mandate.
Ten minutes per decision, five seasons of consequences
- Try an indexation freeze and see what it costs you on the street.
- Negotiate with five ministers who each carry different political weight.
- Compare your score with other ministers.
Three decisions, twelve episodes, five seasons
You pick measures with a fiscal yield, a political cost and a growth effect, then each month cashes the consequences.
Pick a profile and a scenario
Three profiles (technocrat, negotiator, communicator) and four scenarios — one free, three with Premium.
Build the package
Find €54bn using 15 measures and a finite supply of political capital.
Survive the year
The European Commission, spending ministers, the head of state, a bond auction and the December vote.
What new players ask
Is Budget Battle free?
Yes. The standard mandate, the leaderboard and every guide are free and need no account.
How long is one run?
About ten minutes for a first season, roughly forty-five minutes for all five seasons through to the final vote.
Can I use it in a classroom?
Yes. There is a classroom guide on the blog with a lesson plan and an assessment rubric.
Ready for year one?
The standard mandate is free and asks for nothing.
One email per season
New scenarios, the leaderboard top-10 and a short note on what the data showed. No spam.