About: European semester
Life after COVID: EU re-thinks budget rules for new era
So often the source of rows between its members, the European Union starts reviewing its rules for national budgets to fit a post-pandemic reality of higher public debt and the huge costs of transitioning to a zero-emissions economy.
Commission green-lights extra spending to avoid double-dip recession
The European Commission has given its blessing to the draft budgetary plans submitted by the 19 eurozone countries, containing the extra spending to combat the risk of a new recession, but warned about the growing imbalances in many EU economies.
EU to face difficulties without a deal on recovery plan, Budget Commissioner warns
If EU leaders fail to reach an agreement on a pandemic recovery package next week, “we will enter into difficulties,” the EU Commissioner for Budget, Johannes Hahn, warned during an event in Brussels on Tuesday (7 July).
In-work-poverty increasing in spite of economic growth, study reveals
Social inequalities, including in-work-poverty, have increased in the aftermath of the 2008 economic crisis, according to the findings of a study released by SOLIDAR, published on Wednesday (13 November).
Five takeaways from the EU’s economic recommendations to member states
While the public finances of all EU member states are now officially out of the “red zone”, the European Commission on Wednesday (5 June) still had tough economic policy recommendations for Spain, Italy, Belgium, Greece and Germany.
Greek parliament approves first post-bailout budget
Greek lawmakers approved on Tuesday (18 December) the country's first post-bailout budget which projects a high primary surplus next year and sees a pick-up in economic growth.
Salvini says Commission approved the Italian budget
Italy has done a deal with the European Commission over its contested 2019 budget, a spokeswoman at the Economy Ministry said on Tuesday (18 December), signaling an end to weeks of wrangling that had shaken financial markets.
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.
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.
Commission launches excessive deficit procedure against Italy, saying it is ‘sleepwalking into instability’
The European Commission hedged its bets and called for the opening of an excessive deficit procedure against Italy on Wednesday (21 November) as Rome refused once again to revise its draft budget plan.
Italian populist government braces for EU budget rejection
The Italian government expects the European Commission to decide for the first time ever on Tuesday (23 October) to ask a member state to revise its draft budget, a government source said on Sunday.
Italy dismisses concern the EU will reject its budget plan
The Italian government on Thursday (4 October) dismissed concerns that the European Commission would reject its plan to raise deficit spending next year and signalled that it would not backtrack, even under market pressure.
Moscovici slams Italy budget as stocks plunge
The European Union on Friday (28 September) issued a stern warning to Italy's populist leaders following their defiant pledge to increase spending and run a budget deficit that risks putting Rome on a collision course with Brussels.
Italy defies Brussels with budget deficit at 2.4%
Italy's government on Thursday (27 September) targeted the budget deficit at 2.4% of gross domestic product for the next three years, defying Brussels and marking a victory for party chiefs over economy minister Giovanni Tria, an unaffiliated technocrat.
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.
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.
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).