Euro & Finance
Visegrad’s place in the next EU Budget
Vladislava Gubalova argues that Visegrad countries should not be considered as having caught up with older EU members, while taking aim at Sofia for attracting too much financing.
Salvini slams Moscovici after Mussolini jibe
The EU's top economic official said on Thursday (13 September) he feared "little Mussolinis" might be emerging in Europe, drawing a furious response from Italy's far-right interior minister who accused him of insulting his country and Italians.
Lessons from Lehman: It’s the real economy and politics that matter
There are few safeguards against a repeat of the “Great Recession” triggered ten years ago by the collapse of Lehman Brothers, writes Karl Aiginger. However, it will be different from the crisis of 2008 and there is a lot we can do to make it less likely and less severe, he argues.
Juncker to propose breaking dollar’s dominance in global markets
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker is expected to propose today (12 September) a bigger role for the euro in international markets and more efficient decision-making in EU foreign policy in his state of the union speech, European diplomats said.
Judging Juncker: From first speech to last
Before Jean-Claude Juncker's final State of the Union address to this European Parliament on Wednesday (12 September), EURACTIV takes a look at his first speech from 2015 to see how the Commission president has done over the last three years.
EU admits anti-money laundering rules inefficient, prepares for improved supervision
As recent scandals proved that the new anti-money legislation falls short of monitoring financial flows, the EU is leaning toward stepping up the supervision and enforcement of its rules.
Latvia: The thriller passes through the central bank
Murder, wire-tapping in a sauna and bribes: the corruption case involving the central bank of Latvia resembles a real Baltic thriller. EURACTIV France reports with a third article in our series on Latvia.
Europe moves towards a common approach to regulate cryptoassets
European decision-makers and regulators are progressing towards an EU approach for dealing with cryptoassets, digital assets that use cryptography such as Bitcoin and represent a booming market still viewed with concern by financial supervisors.
Latvia: When the United States scolded the ‘Switzerland of the Baltics’
Latvian bank Rietumu has been hit with a fine of €80 million by French judges for having laundered hundreds of millions of euros. EURACTIV France reports in the second part of its Special Report on Latvia.
Latvia: the eurozone thriller
The investigation into the governor of the central bank of Latvia has put the last country to have entered the Eurozone under the spotlight. EURACTIV carries out a four-part investigation into the Switzerland of the Baltic states.
Latvia: The governor’s corruption undermines the ECB
Having been put under investigation for corruption at the end of June, the governor of Latvia's central bank is the third member of the ECB governing council to have been implicated in murky deals over the past year. EURACTIV France reports.
Italy on collision course with EU over budget deficit
Party leaders in the Italian coalition government signalled they will seek leeway from the EU to increase next year's budget deficit, heading on a collision course with the European Commission and investors who want it cut.
Italy sends mixed signals to jittery markets after debt downgrade
Italy's new anti-establishment government sent contradictory signals to financial markets on Sunday (2 September) amid increasing concern Rome could breach EU spending limits as it comes under pressure to fulfil its anti-austerity electoral promises.
Oettinger warns Italy not to block EU budget talks
It is in no one's interest to hold up budget negotiations at the European Union, the bloc's budget chief warned Tuesday (28 August) after Italy threatened a blockade over the migrant issue.
Investors ignore Trump support for Italy as bond yields rise
Italian bond yields matched their highest level over Spain since 2012 on Friday (24 August) as the economic and fiscal trajectories of the two countries diverge and investors ignored supportive comments for Italy from US President Donald Trump.
Cyprus insurer’s bankruptcy sends shockwaves through Bulgaria
The liquidation of Cyprus’ Olympic Insurance, largely unnoticed on the island, is sending shockwaves through Bulgaria as it has left almost 200,000 policyholders with no coverage, causing a serious political crisis.
Time to measure progress to complete Capital Markets Union
Almost three years on from its launch, the Capital Markets Union needs renewed momentum to see it reach fruition and deliver on the promise of deep and well-integrated EU capital markets. Simon Lewis outlines why now is the moment to assess its progress so far.
German FM: EU needs payment systems independent of US to keep Iran deal alive
Europe needs to set up payment systems independent of the United States if it wants to save the nuclear deal between Iran and major powers that was abandoned by President Donald Trump, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has said.
Clouds gather for Europe in run up to 10th anniversary of financial crisis
Discrepancies between Italy and the EU over its expenditure, the trade dispute with the US and political quagmires such as the Brexit talks and the migration challenge cloud EU prospects ahead of the tenth anniversary of the collapse of Lehman Brothers.
ECB fines France’s Credit Agricole over capital reserves
The European Central Bank announced on Monday (20 August) that it had fined French lender Credit Agricole a total of €4.8 million over past irregularities in the way it declared its capital reserves, Reuters reports.
Commitments have to be respected, EU tells Greece
Greece will now be “a normal country” but the reforms and the ambitious fiscal targets agreed with its lenders must be respected, the Commissioner for economic affairs, Pierre Moscovici, said on Monday, the day the Hellenic nation exited its bailout programme.
Has the eurozone learned from its Greek odyssey?
Greece will formally turn the page on its debt saga this week, but the eurozone remains vulnerable to further crises, with economists particularly worried about the situation in Italy.
Greece exits bailout programme but faces hard times ahead
Greece concluded its rescue programme on Monday (20 August), marking a milestone in its recent history and the end of the most difficult period for the euro area, but analysts and officials said the country faces an uphill struggle to maintain its economy sustainable.