Economy & Jobs
EU bank urged to put brakes on Germany’s motorway millions
The European Investment Bank’s decision to loan Germany €264 million to build a new stretch of autobahn has provoked outcry from environmental activists and raised doubts about whether the Luxembourg-based lender can yet claim to be the ‘EU climate bank’.
‘Bucket of cold sick’: firms scorn UK over Brexit plans
Hammered by the coronavirus pandemic, UK businesses face a double-whammy from Brexit and are furious at the government for insisting the onus lies on them to get ready for life outside the EU.
Over half Europe’s small firms fear for survival, survey finds
Over half the small and medium-sized companies which together provide jobs for two-thirds of European workers fear for their survival in the coming 12 months, according to a survey released by management consultancy McKinsey on Thursday (22 October).
EU makes bond market history with record €233 bln demand for SURE issue
The European Union attracted the highest demand ever for a bond sale on Tuesday (20 October) at over €233 billion, bankers involved in the deal said, as it kicked off fund raising for its SURE unemployment scheme.
US slaps Google with antitrust suit, eyes possible breakup
The US government filed a blockbuster lawsuit accusing Google of maintaining an "illegal monopoly" in online search and advertising in the country's biggest antitrust case in decades -- opening the door to a potential breakup of the Silicon Valley titan.
Parliament adopts ambitious stance on EU’s future regulation of digital platforms
The European Parliament has overwhelmingly backed a series of reports which could have a profound impact on the future of the platform economy, supporting a possible ban on targeted advertising, reporting procedures for illegal content, and better detection of fraudulent vendors.
Supply chain laws can change company culture, trade unionist says
The initiatives for due diligence in supply chains are seeing growing support for their potential to create a level playing field, but European worker representatives say the benefits of this legislation would not be limited to the workers at the start of the value chain.
Three Seas Initiative inches forward as US ramps up support
The Three Seas Initiative virtual summit held in Estonia on Monday (20 October) saw further consolidation between its 12 members. At the same time, the US has started seeing the project as a vehicle to win the geopolitical battle for 'hearts and minds' in the region, in a bid to reduce Chinese and Russian influence there.
Social and economic differences across EU less important for citizens – survey
An increasing number of Europeans living in border regions of the EU say social and economic differences are not problems affecting cooperation between their home and neighbouring country, a new survey shows.
Erasmus celebrated worldwide as MEPs push for more funding
As Europe celebrates its flagship educational mobility programme, lawmakers in the European Parliament are fighting to increase the budget for what is widely regarded as one of the EU's greatest achievements.
Sassoli calls for ‘imagination’ to overcome budget negotiations deadlock
European Parliament President David Sassoli asked EU leaders on Thursday (15 October) to increase their financial contributions to the EU budget and called for “imagination” to make progress on the stalled negotiations.
Divisions over economic criteria in cohesion policy negotiations
Negotiations on cohesion policy between the European Parliament, Commission and Council will take place on Thursday (15 October), focusing on how strictly the flow of money is regulated and whether it should be distributed according to economic criteria. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Poland and Hungary score against Commission over taxes
The EU Court of Justice’s advocate general dismissed on Thursday (15 October) the European Commission’s appeal about Poland and Hungary’s tax regimes and recommended upholding the verdict in favour of the two eastern member states.
Budget battle heats up as negotiators hit stalemate
The European Parliament and the Council failed to make any progress on Wednesday (14 October) on the budget negotiations and accused each other of presenting misleading figures of the additional funds requested for the EU’s long-term budget.
UK government under pressure to prove data adequacy to EU
The UK government is coming under increasing pressure to convince Brussels regulators that the country's data protection landscape is fit for EU personal data, amid wider concerns that UK surveillance practices compromise the security of EU standards.
Committee of the Regions warns against centralising cohesion policy
This week, European regional policy leaders met to formulate their demands of the EU. They warned against a reduction of cohesion funds and requested a say in their distribution. EURACTIV Germany reports.
WTO authorises EU tariffs on $4 billion of US goods over Boeing dispute
The World Trade Organisation authorised on Tuesday (13 October) the EU to impose tariffs on US exports worth $4 billion in compensation for the subsidies given to Boeing by Washington.
Report charts new EU ‘COVID-19 geography’, growing inequality risks
The first EU-wide survey of the current challenges the pandemic has posed for local and regional governments across the bloc shows risks of a widening divide between the EU's regions and calls for closer involvement of local authorities in drawing up recovery plans.
UK no longer top Erasmus destination for students
While some of the effects of Brexit are still difficult to assess, the Erasmus+ university exchange programme has already suffered the consequences. EURACTIV France reports.
EU set to get WTO green light for US tariffs
One year after sanctioning the EU for its support of Airbus, the World Trade Organization is expected Tuesday (13 October) to let the bloc impose sanctions on the United States for aid to Boeing.
Lagarde warns against virus support ‘cliff edge’
European Central Bank president Christine Lagarde warned governments on Monday (12 October) against pulling pandemic support schemes too quickly as eurozone economies struggle to recover from the coronavirus crisis.
Commission to give fresh push to social pillar in COVID times
The European Commission’s action plan to implement the EU Social Pillar will aim to bolster the protection of social rights following the lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic, a Commission official has said.
Why is the ECB eyeing a ‘digital euro’?
The European Central Bank will on Monday (12 October) launch a public consultation and start experiments to help it decide whether to create a "digital euro" for the 19-nation currency club.