About: European semester
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.
Merkel blowing smoke on reform proposals, says former German MEP
With proposals for a European Monetary Fund and an investment budget for the eurozone, Chancellor Angela Merkel only tentatively moves closer to French President Emmanuel Macron. But the proposals do not go far enough, German MP Franziska Brantner told EURACTIV Germany in an interview.
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.
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.
Commission calls for reforms to address wage stagnation
The European Commission told member states on Wednesday (22 November) to prioritize policies that support wage growth, in light of the economic pain still suffered by many Europeans.
Sanctions loom over Spain for breaching fiscal rules
The fourth largest economy in the eurozone is about to become the first country to be punished for breaking the EU’s Stability and Growth Pact, EURACTIV.com has learned.
Climate deal relegated to ‘other items’ in Council agenda
The economy and the climate will be pushed to the margins of this week’s European Council summit (17-18 March), where discussions will once again be dominated by the migration crisis. EURACTIV France reports.
Brussels piles pressure on Spain and Italy to balance their budgets
The European Commission will send a series of warnings to Spain, Italy, Finland, Romania and Belgium today (8 March) because of their “serious” deviations from agreed-on fiscal paths, EURACTIV.com has learned.
Dombrovskis: ‘Unilateral decisions on refugees create new problems’
It is high time to follow “prudent” economic policies, says European Commission Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis. His call comes against the backdrop of global market turbulence, a revolt against EU fiscal rules in Spain and Italy, the Brexit debate in Britain, and the ongoing refugee crisis.
Maria João Rodrigues: We should invest in Europe and expand domestic demand
The European Parliament insists that fiscal consolidation and reforms are not enough and that the EU should have a strong priority in investment in Europe and expanding the internal domestic demand, Maria João Rodrigues told EURACTIV in an exclusive interview.
Italy wants EU bonds to fund refugee response
A common European Union policy to manage external borders and cope with the refugee crisis should be funded with common resources, including through the issuance of EU bonds, Italy said on Monday (22 February).
Diplomat: Dutch presidency will promote economic and environmental cooperation
The rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU fell to the Netherlands at the beginning of January 2016. EURACTIV France spoke to Ed Kronenbug, the Dutch envoy to France, about the EU's top priorities over the next six months.
Schulz in row with Commission over parliament’s economic oversight
The European Commission promised MEPs a greater involvement in the so-called European Semester - but, according to Martin Schulz, the executive's latest proposals do not live up to Parliament’s expectations.
EU drags on Stability and Growth Pact reform
The refugee crisis has reignited tensions between the champions of strict budgetary discipline, led by Germany, and those who want to ease interpretations of the rules, led by Italy and France. VideoPromoted content
Social policy in the European Union: state of play 2015
The sixteenth edition of Social policy in the European Union: state of play has a triple ambition. First, it provides easily accessible information to a wide audience about recent developments in both EU and domestic social policymaking. Second, the volume provides a more analytical reading, embedding the key developments of the year 2014 in the most recent academic discourses. Third, the forward-looking perspective of the book aims to provide stakeholders and policymakers with specific tools that allow them to discern new opportunities to influence policymaking.
Commission rebukes Moscovici’s hawkish stance on Spanish budget
The European Commission decided on Tuesday (6 October) to postpone a negative opinion on the Spanish budget for 2016, contradicting Economic and Taxation Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici, who had told the press otherwise.
France to reform ‘overly complex’ labour laws next year, PM says
The government will propose legislation to simplify over-complex labour laws and promote more collective bargaining accords at a sectoral level, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said on Wednesday (9 September).
Problems mount for Renzi as economy stumbles
Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi's escalating problems were compounded on Friday (14 August) when data showed a long-awaited economic recovery is already losing steam.
Commission warns Romania against VAT cuts
The European Commission warned today (23 June) Romania not to lower VAT from 24 to 19%, as the government has proposed. The Romanian parliament is expected to pass the bill tomorrow.
The Commission has lost sight of quality jobs
The European Commission’s Country Specific Recommendations only increase the distance between the EU institutions and the citizens they are supposed to serve, writes Allan Päll.
Parliament backs Commission’s reform push in EU countries
On Wednesday (11 March), the European Parliament supported the European Commission’s push to accelerate structural and fiscal reforms demanded by the EU of each Member State, every year, under the so-called 'European Semester'. VideoPromoted content
“We need a European social dialogue,” Schulz says
"If we want a social market economy in Europe, we need a European - I repeat - a European social dialogue," said European Parliament president Martin Schulz on Thursday during a high level conference on social dialogue in Brussels.
Commission seeks to revive battered social dialogue
In a move to give new impetus to social partners’ relations, seen as instrumental in the new economic governance set up, the European Commission launched on Thursday (5 March) a new start for social dialogue.