Euro & Finance
Coalition against EU debt rule reform shows cracks
Eight EU countries known as “the alliance of responsibility" who spoke out in favour of an early return to strict debt rules in a position paper in September 2021 are being pushed towards compromise with even Germany adopting a more conciliatory tone. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Central and Eastern Europe needs a different type of eurozone
EU countries such as Czechia, Croatia and Bulgaria should have the courage to distinguish between the political realities of the European integration process and their own long term economic interests. They should leverage their future membership of the eurozone for significant structural change, writes Eoin Drea.
Russia proposes ban on use and mining of cryptocurrencies on its territory
Russia's central bank on Thursday (20 January) proposed banning the use and mining of cryptocurrencies on Russian territory, citing threats to financial stability, citizens' wellbeing and its monetary policy sovereignty. VideoPromoted content
The role of private equity in the Capital Markets Union and the Recovery – Invest Europe insights
When it comes to providing more diversified funding opportunities for companies and reduce their over-reliance on banks and public funds, it is clear that some operators and notably in the PE industry are outperforming in acting as the bridge between investors and businesses in need for finance.
Germany, France show divisions on EU budget rules
Germany and France laid out differing visions for the future of the European economy Monday (17 January), signalling a fight later this year to overhaul the bloc's strict rules on government spending.
Centre-left Scholz and Sánchez far apart on EU fiscal rules
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz gave Spanish Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez no indication his left-leaning government is ready to support a relaxation of EU fiscal rules, even as the two agreed to work closer together on European policies.
Price controls enter the European inflation debate
As inflation remains high, politicians and economists turn to other measures to contain prices, and age-old discussions around price controls are flaring up again, with Hungary’s Viktor Orbán putting them into practice.
State of play in eurozone enlargement
The euro has existed for over 20 years, but many EU member states still have not joined the eurozone. While Bulgaria and Croatia could soon, other member states remain hesitant, mainly for economic and political reasons.
20 years of euro: The success and shortcomings
Although officially introduced on 1 January 1999, the euro became a tangible reality for most Europeans on 1 January 2002, when the first euro coins and banknotes were put into circulation.
Two decades on, euro can’t shake reputation as price driver
Europeans have been living with euro banknotes and coins for 20 years now, but many still point the finger at the single currency for covertly driving up consumer prices -- despite plenty of evidence to the contrary.
In euro waiting room, Bulgarians divided about joining
Bulgaria could join the eurozone in 2024, but the EU's poorest country is divided over the prospect of ditching its national currency and joining the single European currency club.
Macron, Draghi call for reform of EU fiscal rules
French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi called Thursday (23 December) on Brussels to reform its fiscal rules to allow greater investment spending while acknowledging the necessity to reduce debt. “Just as the rules could not be...
London banking job exodus to EU slows despite Brexit
The number of finance jobs shifting from Britain to the European Union due to Brexit is less than initially expected despite London losing most of its access to EU capital markets, EY consultants said on Monday (20 December).
New Dutch government under Mark Rutte wants to spend more
The coalition agreement of the new Dutch government under Prime Minister Mark Rutte foresees more spending on childcare, teacher salaries, and environmental issues, showing the increased influence of the centre-left, liberal party D66.
EU leaders set no date for banking union, ask for plan to get there
European Union leaders reiterated on Thursday (16 December) their political commitment to finishing the bloc's banking union, but set no date for it, underlining the deep disagreements between governments on what needs to be done to get there.
ECB plots stimulus exit as inflation looms
European Central Bank policymakers will gather on Thursday (16 December) for a crunch meeting, as soaring inflation heaps pressure on the bank to wind down its stimulus just as a new coronavirus variant threatens to derail the recovery.
Gentiloni: EU recovery fund idea could be used again, if it is a success now
The European Union's idea of jointly borrowing for joint goals could be used again by the EU if the implementation of the recovery scheme is a success, European Economic Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni said on Monday.
French and German finance ministers stress common interests in first meeting
Although he is known to be a hardline opponent of public debt, the new German finance minister showed his openness to compromise during his first trip to Paris only days after taking office.
What should the European Central Bank do about inflation?
As fears over inflation intensity, analysts caution that while energy costs and supply chain issues exacerbate the problem, the European Central Bank cannot do much to stop it.
Germany’s liberal FDP rules out additional debt for investments
The three parties of Germany's next government have made it clear they want to make the coming years a decade of investments for the future. Where the resources for such investments will come from, however, remains unclear.
Germany rejects relaxation of EU fiscal rules
Under a Liberal-led finance ministry, Germany will take a hard line on EU fiscal policy and reject calls from southern EU countries to relax fiscal rules. However, the business-friendly FDP is open to compromise. EURACTIV Germany reports.
ESG Book aims to ‘disrupt’ sustainability sector with free data
HSBC, Deutsche Bank and Swiss Re have thrown their support behind ESG Book, a new environment, social and governance (ESG) data platform launched on Wednesday (1 December) to 'disrupt' the market with a free "public good" service for companies and investors.
France sees chance of compromise with Germany on EU fiscal rules
France will be able to reach a compromise with the new German government to update the European Union's fiscal rules to face economic challenges following the COVID-19 pandemic, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on Monday (29 November).
German inflation hits highest in decades, increasing pressure on ECB
German consumer price inflation rose further in November to hit another record high, preliminary data showed on Monday (29 November), increasing pressure on the European Central Bank to react.