EMU
Commission demands ‘credible response’ from Italy to reduce debt
The European Commission on Wednesday (23 May) approved Italy’s efforts to balance its public accounts but asked the new government for a “credible response” in order to further reduce its immense public debt.
Merkel allies reject idea of European finance minister
Leading politicians from Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrat party want to pass a resolution at a meeting this week to reject any pooling of debts in Europe and any common fiscal policy without national parliamentary controls, Handelsblatt reported.
Trump’s policies could throw EU’s economic expansion ‘off track’, warns Commission
The European economy is expected to continue growing at a robust pace, but faces negative spillovers from the fiscal stimulus and trade restrictions adopted by US President Donald Trump, the European Commission warned on Thursday (3 May).
ECB sees ‘loss of momentum’ in eurozone’s economic growth
ECB President Mario Draghi said on Thursday (26 April) that all eurozone countries experienced “some moderation in growth or loss of momentum” over the past weeks, as the institution is carefully reassessing how to exit the unconventional monetary measures adopted during the crisis.
Merkel urges ‘compromise’ on eurozone reform
Germany's Angela Merkel called for a spirit of "compromise" on reforming the euro zone at a meeting on Thursday (19 April) with French President Emmanuel Macron, who pressed for "solidarity" among members of the currency union.
Macron visits Merkel in bid to salvage eurozone reform plans
French President Emmanuel Macron heads to Berlin Thursday (19 April) for talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel, hoping to breathe fresh life into his grand vision for EU reforms in the face of growing German resistance.
Macron offers half-hearted defence for waning eurozone push
Emmanuel Macron toned down his ambition of completing the Economic and Monetary Union in a speech to the European Parliament on Tuesday (17 April), as he appears to be losing Germany’s backing and faces mounting pressure at home on unpopular economic reforms.
Not all Macron’s EU reforms possible, German finance minister says
German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz said EU reforms proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron should be addressed before European elections next year, but added that some of the proposals were not feasible.
Eurozone leaders pledge to conclude banking union by June
Friday's eurozone summit ended with an agreement to finalise the banking union by June, but the future of the fiscal union remains unclear as leaders remained divided.
MEPs back De Guindos for ECB post by narrow margin
The European Parliament approved the appointment of Spain’s former minister of Economy Luis de Guindos as ECB vice-president but sent a warning signal to the member states to improve the nomination process.
Portuguese PM: eurozone needs fiscal leg for stability, growth
The eurozone will never reach its full potential and may face a new crisis in the future without a fiscal capacity, Portugal's Prime Minister Antonio Costa told the European Parliament on Wednesday (14 March).
Europe’s reform push faces reality check
The impulse to bolster the eurozone, sparked by Emmanuel Macron’s victory in France almost one year ago, is losing its vigour as political instability persists and a group of countries have solidified their opposition to bold changes.
Commission passes the ball on sovereign debt rules
European Commission Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis said on Wednesday (7 March) that he does not intend to amend the regulatory treatment of sovereign debt held by banks following inconclusive discussions at international level.
MEPs demand improving nomination process to support De Guindos
The EU legislators requested from the member states on Tuesday (27 February) improvements to the selection process of the bloc's top posts before giving their blessing to the appointment of Luis de Guindos as ECB vice-president.
De Guindos champions pragmatism at the ECB’s helm
Designated ECB vice-president, Spain’s minister of Economy Luis de Guindos, said on Tuesday (20 February) that the existing expansionary monetary stance should be for “extraordinary times”, as he described the European recovery as solid.
More banker than politician? De Guindos faces ECB litmus test
Widely credited with steering Spain through its worst recession in decades, its outgoing Economy Minister Luis de Guindos will hope to bring pragmatism and tenacity to the European Central Bank when he takes over as vice president in June.
Eurogroup picks ‘pragmatic’ De Guindos for ECB vice-presidency
Eurozone finance ministers chose Spanish Economy Minister Luis de Guindos to become the next vice-president of the European Central Bank (ECB), marking the return of Spain to top EU posts after the country lost its chair in the bank's Executive Council.
Soros met with senior ECB official to discuss eurozone integration
Investor and philanthropist George Soros held a private meeting with a senior ECB official last November to discuss eurozone integration, according to official documents published on Friday (16 February).
Moscovici: Spring 2019 is ‘too early to retire’
European Commissioner Pierre Moscovici joins EURACTIV's Economy Editor Jorge Valero for a live debate on deepening the European Economic and Monetary Union in the EURACTIV Network offices in Brussels.
Moscovici ‘not worried’ about market turbulences, raises EU growth forecast
European Commissioner for Economic Affairs Pierre Moscovici said on Wednesday (7 February) he is not worried about the volatility seen in markets, as the Commission revised upwards its growth forecast to 2.3% this year and 2% in 2019, both for the eurozone and the EU as a whole.
German pay deal heralds end of wage restraint in Europe’s largest economy
A hard-fought deal on pay and working hours for industrial employees in southwestern Germany sets a benchmark for millions of workers across Europe's largest economy and heralds wage growth in the coming years.
Moscovici: ‘The credibility of the EU tax haven black list is at stake’
The EU Commissioner for Economic Affairs Pierre Moscovici is determined to table a digital tax proposal at EU level, despite warnings from the OECD. In an exclusive interview with EURACTIV, he also warns EU countries for failing to publish the commitments made by tax havens to exit the EU’s ‘black list’.
Jens Weidmann – the anti-Draghi?
Next year, there will be a change at the helm of the European Central Bank (ECB). Speculation about Mario Draghi’s successor is in full swing. One controversial name is appearing over and over again: Jens Weidmann, the President of the Deutsche Bank. EURACTIV Germany reports.