Economic governance

Eurozone 2020: The race against the clouds

After seven years of growth, the eurozone's outlook is deteriorating. There is a risk of a recession if the trade war with Washington worsens, while member states continue to disagree over the completion of the economic and monetary union that would help them cope with a downturn.

Germany’s incoming ECB board member opposes pumping cash into green assets

The European Central Bank should not favour so-called "green" assets in its multi-trillion-euro bond-buying programme or its work as bank supervisor, incoming ECB board member Isabel Schnabel said in an interview published on Monday (30 December).

Brussels lowers expectations about ‘green’ overhaul of Stability and Growth Pact

The European Commission is cautious about loosening EU fiscal rules in order to incentivise ‘green’ investment by member states. Valdis Dombrovskis, the Commission Vice-President for the economy, said on Tuesday (17 December) he wants to avoid “divisive” issues.

Conte buys Italy’s government more time over eurozone bailout fund

Italy's prime minister Giuseppe Conte claimed victory on Friday (13 December), after changing the wording of the Euro summit's conclusion postponing a final agreement on the reform of the eurozone bailout fund.

Costa and Centeno clash over euro budgetary instrument 

Tensions between Portuguese prime minister, Antonio Costa, and his finance minister and Eurogroup president, Mario Centeno erupted in front of EU leaders on Friday (13 December) as the two clashed over the design of the eurozone budgetary instrument .

ECB to embark on soul-searching process in 2020 

The European Central Bank will next year review its tools and objectives in order to better fulfil its mandate of price stability, and it also intends to assess the appropriateness of issuing its own digital currency, in the face of growing concerns about Facebook’s Libra.

Inflation, climate, jargon: ECB launches major review

The European Central Bank's new president Christine Lagarde has announced that the Frankfurt-based institute will soon undertake a strategic review, its first since 2003.

ECB to review its mandate with ‘open mind’, Lagarde says

The European Central Bank (ECB) will embark on a strategic review of its mandate and instruments to achieve its inflation target of 2% with an “open mind”, its president Christine Lagarde said on Monday (2 December).

EU concerned over France, Italy and Spain debts

Reduction of public debt should be the main priority for France, Italy, and Spain, which have "failed to put their finances in order" during the economic upswing of recent years, the European Commission warned on Wednesday (20 November) at the presentation of the autumn fiscal package.

Merkel ignores calls for bigger fiscal stimulus

German chancellor Angela Merkel resisted calls to increase public spending as pressure continues to grow from her country and abroad to avoid the austerity that worsened the euro crisis.

European banks face massive capital raising in challenging times

Europe will “faithfully” implement new international standards that will force its banks, struggling to regain investor trust, to raise around €135 billion in additional capital to face future crises, the European Commission said on Tuesday (12 November).

As economy slows, Commission tells member states to be ready for ‘all scenarios’

EU member states should be prepared for “all scenarios” as the European economy continues to decelerate, and is not expected to pick up in the near future, the European Commission warned in its latest economic forecast published on Thursday (7 November).

Amid Brexit and trade wars, European industry faces economic gloom

The eurozone's manufacturing sector contracted for the ninth consecutive month in October, based on the latest Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) calculated by the Markit firm. EURACTIV's partner La Tribune reports.

Eurozone equipped to save big economies, says euro rescue fund chief

The European Stability Mechanism, the euro area’s rescue fund, would have enough firepower to save large economies if necessary, including Italy, the fund’s chief Klaus Regling said on Tuesday (29 October).

Draghi attempts to heal divided ECB in farewell speech

Departing ECB president Mario Draghi tried to restore unity among eurozone central bankers  in his farewell speech on Monday (28 October) but he continued to defend his recent controversial monetary decisions.

Draghi’s farewell demand: the eurozone budget

Outgoing European Central Bank President Mario Draghi stressed in his farewell press conference on Thursday (24 October) that a truly eurozone budget “with an adequate size" would be the number one issue to fix in the eurozone. 

EU grandees send Draghi to ‘euro pantheon’

European Central Bank President Mario Draghi chairs his last governing council on 24 October, before Christine Lagarde takes over on 1 November. EURACTIV contacted eight politicians, decision-makers and analysts from different countries to review Draghi's eight-year mandate at the ECB.

Commission tells member states to adjust their economies further

The European Commission is putting the final touches to a number of letters to various national governments that are at risk of missing their fiscal targets for 2020. Brussels wants more information on how they intend to to balance their public finances.

Eurozone sharpens up new anti-shock fund

Finance ministers of the 19-member euro area reached agreement late on Wednesday (9 October) on the details of a "budgetary instrument" for the eurozone, including stronger measures to support countries hit by a sudden economic shock.

Will Germany block EIB plans to ditch natural gas?

The European Investment Bank wants to purge its loan books of fossil fuels, including natural gas, by 2020. Although the Bank's final decision is expected to be delivered on 15 October, resistance, especially from Germany, is brewing. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Gentiloni wins broad approval with ‘ambitious’ EU economic and social agenda

Paolo Gentiloni won the European Parliament's approval on Thursday (3 October) to become EU Commissioner for the Economy, with ambitious plans to unblock tax proposals and to design the European unemployment reinsurance  scheme.

French business expansion slows amid sluggish eurozone

France's private sector is growing at a slower rate and has reached the lowest level in the past four months, according to forecasts published by IHS Markit on Monday (23 September). For the eurozone, business expansion fell to the lowest level since June 2013. EURACTIV's partner La Tribune reports.

Draghi calls for euro budget in farewell to MEPs

ECB President Mario Draghi urged EU co-legislators on Monday (23 September) to set up a fiscal capacity to counter eurozone’s economic shocks, as he warned of the worsening economic outlook in his farewell debate with MEPs.

New investment clause fails to win EU member state support

EU member states remain split over a possible relaxation of the bloc’s fiscal rules meant to facilitate investment in the bloc, despite calls from the European Central Bank and some governments to increase public spending and mitigate the risk of recession.