Economic governance
Germany’s Scholz sees ‘no way back’ from EU joint debt
German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz said Sunday (23 August) that the European Union's recovery package financed by joint borrowing was a long-term measure rather than a short-term coronavirus crisis fix, contradicting Chancellor Angela Merkel.
ECB to sit tight as EU leaders shape virus recovery plan
European Central Bank governors are expected to refrain from doling out fresh stimulus medicine Thursday, hoping EU leaders will do their bit to shore up the crisis-hit region with a huge coronavirus recovery plan.
Italy, Spain and France worst performers as recession deepens
Italy, Spain and France will register the worst economic downturn among eurozone countries this year as the contraction will be more severe than previously expected, according to the latest European Commission forecast published on Tuesday (7 July).
Joint EU debt must not become a regular thing, says Germany’s Weidmann
A decision by European leaders to issue joint debt to finance coronavirus aid for weaker member states should remain an exemption and not serve as a blueprint for future budget challenges, Bundesbank President Jens Weidmann said on Sunday (26 July).
EU fiscal watchdog wants to scrap ‘unrealistic’ 60% debt limit
The European Fiscal Board on Tuesday (1 July) recommended to get rid of the EU's debt threshold of 60% of GDP and instead adopt realistic debt targets specific to the bloc's national economies.
Independent report unveils flaws in Greek bailout
Eurozone creditors who designed and supervised Greece's bailout paid “insufficient attention” to the Greek social needs, had inadequate strategies and pursued damaging fiscal adjustment in the bailout programmes agreed with Athens, an independent evaluation concluded
Ex-Eurogroup boss: Nobody is so stupid to propose to ‘just go back under 3% deficit’
As one of the most influential Eurogroup figures during the previous crisis, Thomas Wieser chaired the preparatory meetings of eurozone finance ministers between 2011 and 2018. In an interview with EURACTIV, the American-Austrian economist described the EU’s fiscal rules as “bad practical economics”, in particular for handling a crisis such as the current one.
Commission vows to break with troika-type conditions in recovery phase
It is increasingly evident that the European Commission has no intention to return to the tight cash-for-reform system to manage the recovery funds and that ‘hawkish’ member states could find it difficult to turn the proposed procedure into a troika-type oversight.
France wants EU budget rules suspended through 2021
France on Thursday (21 May) called on the EU to suspend its strict budgetary rules for member states for this year and next due to the severe hit economies have taken during the coronavirus pandemic.
Coronavirus will trigger the deepest recession in EU history
The economies of EU countries will shrink by 7.4% this year as the coronavirus crisis is set to cause the worst recession in the bloc’s history, according to the European Commission's spring forecast presented on Wednesday (6 May), which also foresaw a significant rebound in 2021.
COVID-19: EU’s plan to save the economy
The European Commission estimates the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak could be greater than the financial crisis in 2008. In order to keep the economy running, the EU executive introduced flexibility for funds and national expenditure, member states approved...
Eurogroup to discuss EU-wide unemployment reinsurance scheme
The European Commission is planning to present to EU finance ministers next week its pan-European unemployment reinsurance scheme proposal to support the most affected countries by the coronavirus.
Eurogroup nearing agreement to use bailout fund against pandemic
Countries of the euro area are close to an agreement to use the European Stability Mechanism to provide credit lines of up to 2% of their GDP to tackle the consequences of the coronavirus COVID-19.
EU countries warn of ‘severe economic downturn’, suspend Stability Pact
EU member states took the unprecedented decision to suspend the Stability and Growth Pact obligations on Monday (23 March), in order to allow billions of euros in extra spending to mitigate the "severe economic downturn" caused by the coronavirus.
Commission proposes unprecedented suspension of EU’s fiscal rules
The European Commission proposed for the first time on Friday (20 March) the activation of the general escape clause that would ‘pause’ the adjustments member states have to do to meet their fiscal targets and allow them to spend "as much as they need".
Fearing coronavirus recession, France weighs nationalisation
France's finance minister said Tuesday (17 March) that he was willing to nationalise large companies to protect them from bankruptcy, while warning that the country faces recession this year as the coronavirus epidemic sinks the economy.
Coronavirus ‘very likely’ to push Europe into recession, Commission warns
The European Commission said on Friday (13 March) that the coronavirus COVID-19 will “very likely” push the European economy into recession this year, and warned that the rebound next year will depend on a bold response from member states.
As stock markets collapse, IMF calls for support for the coronavirus-infected economy
The International Monetary Fund called on governments worldwide Monday (9 March) to join forces and roll out aggressive financial supports for the coronavirus-infected global economy, including direct payments to workers and businesses.
EU finance ministers hold fire on combating coronavirus
EU finance ministers promised on Wednesday (4 March) a coordinated response to address the economic impact of coronavirus but postponed any decision at least until their formal meeting in mid-March.
Dombrovskis: EU’s fiscal rules are flexible for impact of coronavirus
The European Commission will be "flexible" with Italy and other member states affected by the coronavirus when assessing their efforts to balance their public accounts, European Commission vice-president Valdis Dombrovskis said in an interview.
‘Too early to assess’ the economic impact of coronavirus, Commission says
The European Commission won't consider the effects of the coronavirus outbreak in its updated growth forecast, expected on Thursday (13 February), saying it is "too early" to estimate the impact of the virus on the region’s output, EU sources told EURACTIV.
Centeno: ‘I do see good reasons to support green investment under the fiscal rules’
Speaking to EURACTIV in Davos, Eurogroup President Mario Centeno remained hopeful about the eurozone's stalled reform process, saying there are “good reasons” to support ‘green’ investment as part of a broader review of EU fiscal rules due later this year.
IMF warns of the risk of central banks’ ‘cheap money’
The monetary stimulus has been one of the main engines of growth over the past years, but continuing with the supply of 'cheap money' could hurt low-income countries, fuel risky investments and affect savers, warned the IMF on Friday (24 January).