EU top court rejects ECB compensations for investors affected by Greek crisis

The EU's top court ruled on Thursday (23 May) against demands for the European Central Bank to compensate private investors affected by the restructuring of the Greek public debt in 2012.

EU elections 2019: This is what the parties want for our economy

A new industrial policy for Europe, more support for small-and-medium sized enterprises (SMEs), and improved tax policy are common priorities of the European political families for the next mandate, while a review of the ECB mandate is also included in the manifestos of many parties for the EU elections.

Italy clouds Eurogroup discussion on public spending

Finance ministers from the 19 eurozone countries will review public spending in the region on Thursday (16 May), with Italy once again in the spotlight amid an ongoing economic slowdown.

Slowing growth: EU countries urged to further adjust spending

The European Commission called on Spain, Italy, France and Belgium to do more efforts to balance their public accounts yesterday (7 May), citing a slowing economy.

Austrian chief economist: ‘A lot can still be done to complete the euro zone’

The Austrian national bank (OeNB) hosted its annual conference on 20 years of the euro on 2 and 3 May. In an interview with EURACTIV, the bank's chief economist explains how the euro zone debt crisis changed the economic "tool box" of the EU currency and spells out the challenges ahead.

Brussels was right about Italy’s weak growth, Juncker says

It is an overstatement to claim that Italy’s debt constitutes a risk for global markets, but a zero-growth rate can only worsen Rome's problems, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said in an interview with state broadcaster RAI on Sunday (31 March).

Brussels ‘really worried’ about Italy’s slowing economy

The EU warned Sunday (24 March) of a new row brewing with Italy over its budget, barely a few months after both sides agreed on a hard-fought deal with Rome's disputed 2019 finances.

Eurogroup keeps anti-shock capacity for eurozone budget off the table

Eurogroup president Mario Centeno said late on Monday (11 March) that the future eurozone budget would not include a stabilisation function, despite insistance by France and a handful of other countries to broaden its scope.

The Franco-German proposal for a ‘eurozone budgetary instrument’, in detail

France and Germany tabled a joint proposal on Thursday (21 February) to establish a new "eurozone budgetary instrument" that would support national reforms and investments in the single currency bloc.

Uncertainty dampens European growth

Euro area economy is expected to slow down more markedly than initially expected, because of the impact of increasing risks, including a disorderly Brexit, and external tensions primarily driven by the US-China trade war.

French finance chief wants to tax expatriate business leaders

French Minister of Economy and Finance Bruno Le Maire wants to introduce legislation to ensure that heads of large French businesses living abroad pay more taxes in France. EURACTIV France’s partner La Tribune reports.

Eurogroup kick off race for ECB chief economist, Ireland’s Lane puts name forward

Ireland presented Philip Lane’s candidacy as chief economist at the European Central Bank on Monday (21 January), as the Eurogroup opened calls for nominations in a relaxed first session of the year. 

ECB reshuffle: The EU can do better than gentlemen’s agreements behind closed doors

Appointments to the European Central Bank's Executive Board are no less than a strategic and political decision over the future of the Eurozone. But experience has shown this process is not transparent, open, and democratic enough to protect the ECB from its legitimacy gap, argue Stanislas Jourdan and Sebastian Diessner.

20 years of the euro: An imperfect success story

The single currency, which was officially launched on 1 January 1999, has performed its role of shielding against crises and stabilising prices. However, the insufficient convergence of the eurozone’s economies shows the fragility of this incomplete construction. EURACTIV France’s media partner La Tribune reports.

Poland lashes out against EU and Paris over French deficit

Poland on Friday (4 January) accused France of breaching European Union laws by exceeding spending limits, the latest in a series of long-running clashes between the two member states. Paris last month forecast a 2019 deficit of 3.2%, which would...

EU freezes budget disciplinary procedure against Italy

The solution offered to the European Commission is not ‘ideal’ but Italy's efforts are sufficient to avoid the launch of the excessive deficit procedure, the EU executive announced on Wednesday (19 December).

Italy makes concessions in latest budget draft proposal

The European Commission noted progress in Italy’s revised budget for 2019 sent late on Sunday as EU experts crunched numbers to see if Italy's effort was sufficient to end the budgetary spat.

Leaders wrap up year-long euro reform with face-saving package

EU leaders concluded on Friday (14 December) a year-long discussion to bolster the eurozone by approving extra money to resolve failing banks and additional powers for the European Stability Mechanism, the EU’s rescue fund.

ECB chief Draghi downgrades economic forecast as risks persist

European Central Bank President Mario Draghi presented on Thursday (13 December) the bank's downgraded economic forecast for the eurozone for this year and next, as uncertainties and risks remain prominent in the region.

Italy’s Conte admits defeat on budget, presents new plan to EU

Italy has admitted defeat and agreed to change its “beautiful” budget plan to avoid the opening of a disciplinary procedure against Rome.

Commission to judge in May France’s deficit deviation

The European Commission will conclude in May whether France’s deficit slippage caused by new spending measures represents a limited and temporary deviation allowed by the rules.

Green transition: ECB and budgetary authorities should face their responsibilities

Reforming the rules for coordinating budgetary and economic policies in the eurozone is a necessity to conciliate economic, social and climate objectives, write Olivier Bodin and Michael Vincent.

EU reaches limited agreement to bolster economic and monetary union 

EU finance ministers concluded a deal on Tuesday (4 December) to bolster the region with new tools to save ailing banks and member states but postponed Europe-wide instruments to protect depositors or stabilise national economies.

Italy one step closer to EU budget procedure

Italy’s deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio said he was confident about ongoing talks with the European Commission over the country’s budget, despite a fresh recommendation by EU government representatives on Thursday (29 November) to open an excessive deficit procedure against Italy.