ECB chief Draghi downgrades economic forecast as risks persist

European Central Bank President Mario Draghi presented on Thursday (13 December) the bank's downgraded economic forecast for the eurozone for this year and next, as uncertainties and risks remain prominent in the region.

Italy’s Conte admits defeat on budget, presents new plan to EU

Italy has admitted defeat and agreed to change its “beautiful” budget plan to avoid the opening of a disciplinary procedure against Rome.

Of funds and values: Conditionality in EU cohesion policy

As the EU's multi-annual budget is being negotiated, the amounts and efficiency of spending matter but also priorities and European values when disbursing programmes. Smarter conditionality is needed, triggering less political backlash, and, where needed, direct payment to beneficiaries, argue Benedek Jávor and Laszlo Andor.

End of an era as ECB shelves quantitative easing program

A chapter of eurozone history will come to a close Thursday (13 December), with the European Central Bank widely expected to withdraw a key element of support for the economy while reassuring observers fearful of the growing risks.

Europe speeds up plans for no-deal scenario as Brexit chaos grows

EU leaders will discuss late on Thursday (13 December) how to address the UK's concerns about its withdrawal agreement from the EU, but discussions on contingency plans are gathering pace as the chances of an orderly divorce continue to wane.

Commission to judge in May France’s deficit deviation

The European Commission will conclude in May whether France’s deficit slippage caused by new spending measures represents a limited and temporary deviation allowed by the rules.

As finances improve, Greece scraps pension cuts

Greece's parliament on Tuesday (11 December) voted to scrap plans to cut state pensions, in a motion led by the left-led governing coalition hoping to shore up its flagging support ahead of a general election next year.

EU top court rules in favor of Draghi’s bond-buying programme

The European Central Bank (ECB) won a landmark case on Tuesday (11 December) as the European Court of Justice confirmed that the national bond-buying policy was in accordance with EU law, in response to concerns raised in Germany. 

Juncker warns May: ‘No room’ to renegotiate Brexit deal

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said on Tuesday (11 December) that the EU would be open to offer “clarifications” to  British Prime Minister Theresa May, but insisted that the withdrawal agreement was the “best possible, the only possible” deal.

Macron announces financial concessions in bid to end ‘yellow vest’ revolt

Embattled French President Emmanuel Macron Monday (10 December) announced a series of financial measures seeking to defuse the "yellow vest" revolt that has triggered violent protests in cities across the country.

Green transition: ECB and budgetary authorities should face their responsibilities

Reforming the rules for coordinating budgetary and economic policies in the eurozone is a necessity to conciliate economic, social and climate objectives, write Olivier Bodin and Michael Vincent.

Italian Enria to lead EU’s bank watchdog

The head of the European Banking Authority, Andrea Enria, will become the Single Supervisory Mechanism chief in charge of overseeing Europe’s largest banks. The Council endorsed his nomination on Thursday (6 December), concluding the process after the European Parliament also gave its green light.

EU claims stronger role for its currency despite flawed monetary union

The European Commission presented on Wednesday (5 December) a strategy to strengthen the international role of the euro days after member states continued to drag their feet to complete the economic and monetary union.

European Commission wants to use euro as strategic tool

What if the euro, which is celebrating its twentieth anniversary, assumed its status as the second most important global currency? This revolutionary idea is to be discussed at the European Council next week. EURACTIV France reports.  

EU reaches limited agreement to bolster economic and monetary union 

EU finance ministers concluded a deal on Tuesday (4 December) to bolster the region with new tools to save ailing banks and member states but postponed Europe-wide instruments to protect depositors or stabilise national economies.

EU finance ministers struggle for eurozone reform deal

EU finance ministers struggled to agree reforms to better fight against a financial crisis early Tuesday (4 December), with negotiators still at the table after more than 12 hours of talks.

Germany and France to outline EU financial transaction tax proposal

Germany and France will outline on Monday a joint proposal for a financial transaction tax for the European Union that is based on a model already tested in France, the Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper reported late on Sunday (2 December).

Italy one step closer to EU budget procedure

Italy’s deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio said he was confident about ongoing talks with the European Commission over the country’s budget, despite a fresh recommendation by EU government representatives on Thursday (29 November) to open an excessive deficit procedure against Italy.

Another German budget without new debt

The German Bundestag adopted the national 2019 budget with the votes of the 'Grand Coalition' last Friday (23 November), with expenditure reaching a record €356 billion and a particular rise in defence spending. Nevertheless, Finance Minister Olaf Scholz has managed to avoid creating any new debt. EURACTIV Germany reports.

ECB urges completion of monetary union in ‘unstable’ world

ECB chief Mario Draghi called for the completion of the eurozone framework and to reduce divergencies between West and East members in order to protect the euro in a more "unstable" world on Monday (26 November).

Brexit: an opportunity to restructure European finance?

The governor of the Banque de France, François Villeroy de Galhau, regards Brexit as an opportunity for Paris and European finance. But, for the smallest financial actors, much remains to be done before March 2019. EURACTIV France reports.  

Commission ‘not at war’ with Italy, Juncker says

The European Commission has no plan to start a war with Italy over its budget, Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said a day after a working dinner with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Saturday (24 November). But Rome confirmed that the main reforms included in the disputed budget will stay unchanged.

Commission: Italy, EU to work to bring views on 2019 budget closer together

Italy and the European Commission will work in the coming days to bring closer their positions on Italy's 2019 draft budget, which the EU executive says breaks EU laws by not reducing the country's huge public debt.

Katainen on Brexit: We have to take Spain’s concerns very seriously

Member states share Spain's concerns over the future relationship with Gibraltar after Brexit, Vice-President of the European Commission for Jobs, Growth, Investment & Competitiveness Jyrki Katainen told EURACTIV.com in a long interview where he addressed all the pressing challenges the EU is currently facing.