About: Eurozone
Amid Delta scare, EU forecasts higher growth in eurozone
The eurozone economy will grow faster than previously thought both this year and next, the European Commission said on Wednesday (7 July), despite emerging concerns the fast-spreading Delta variant of the coronavirus could lead to new restrictions.
Europe’s unemployment rate rises for fifth straight month in August
While the unemployment rate in the eurozone reached 8.1% in August, it rose to 7.4% for the bloc as a whole, according to Eurostat. EURACTIV's partner EUROEFE reports.
Eurozone retail sales return to pre-pandemic levels
The volume of retail sales in the euro zone rebounded in June to levels recorded in February before lockdowns, official estimates showed on Wednesday (5 August), completing a recovery that began in May after record drops in March and April.
Joint EU debt must not become a regular thing, says Germany’s Weidmann
A decision by European leaders to issue joint debt to finance coronavirus aid for weaker member states should remain an exemption and not serve as a blueprint for future budget challenges, Bundesbank President Jens Weidmann said on Sunday (26 July).
ECB seen beefing up eurozone support as pandemic persists
Most analysts expect the European Central Bank on Thursday (4 June) to beef up its emergency bond-buying scheme with hundreds of billions of euros to weather the coronavirus pandemic, providing governments with the breathing space to decide their own response.
ECB will continue doing whatever is necessary to deliver on mandate, Lagarde says
European Central Bank chief Christine Lagarde has responded to a recent German court ruling that challenged the bank's authority by saying the ECB is an independent institution, accountable to the European Parliament, that will continue to do whatever it takes to deliver its mandate.
All eyes on ECB for further virus-fighting moves
The European Central Bank has launched a series of never-before-seen measures to cushion the economic blow from the coronavirus pandemic but it looks set to reaffirm Thursday (30 April) it will do more still, even if some of the options appear limited.
Reforms, investment and the EU Recovery Plan
The EU member states are finally discussing an ambitious European Recovery Plan and the good news is that they already have the right tool at hand, writes Dragoș Pîslaru.
Merkel open to bigger EU budget, bonds to finance post-crisis recovery
German Chancellor Angela Merkel signalled readiness on Monday (20 April) to finance economic recovery in Europe from the coronavirus pandemic through a bigger European Union budget and the issuance of joint debt via the European Commission.
Coronavirus exit: Re-inventing the EU supply chain
This crisis is also teaching us logistical lessons, and particularly the need to produce things at home or closer to home. Eastern Europe remains competent and cheaper, and can make the difference in the EU supply chain, writes Radu Magdin.
EU ministers to agree virus rescue plan, not ‘coronabonds’
EU countries are nearing an economic rescue plan for European countries worst hit by the coronavirus outbreak, sources said on Monday (6 April), but not at the level of ambition called for by Italy and Spain.
EU open to ‘coronabonds’ to cushion economic fallout – von der Leyen
The European Commission is ready to consider backing common debt issuance in the eurozone to help the bloc weather the massive economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak, its president said on Friday (20 March).
Coronavirus will send EU spiraling into recession in 2020: Breton
The coronavirus pandemic will plunge the European Union into recession this year, the EU’s internal market Commissioner Thierry Breton said, estimating the bloc’s economy risked a 2-2.5% hit.
EU ministers hold videoconference to agree coordinated economic coronavirus response
European Union finance ministers plan to agree on Monday (16 March) on a coordinated economic response to the coronavirus pandemic, with the European Commission forecasting the effects of the virus could push the EU into a recession. The action would...
Coronavirus deaths rise in Italy, government prepares economic support
The death toll from an outbreak of coronavirus in Italy has risen to 34, five more than a day earlier, officials said on Sunday (1 March), as the government prepared to boost spending to help the fragile economy.
Bulgaria’s balance of payments reporting to Brussels ‘seriously flawed’
Eurostat and the European Commission have been informed of a serious problem with the reporting of the balance of payments of the Bulgarian economy to the EU institutions, which may have presented the country's GDP growth as much higher than it is. EURACTIV Bulgaria reports.
Bulgaria delays entry into euro ‘waiting room’ until July
Bulgaria has delayed until July its plans to join the ERM2 Exchange Rate Mechanism, also known as the eurozone "waiting room", Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said Friday (21 February).
Eurozone ministers discuss fiscal boost options as coronavirus worries weigh
Euro zone finance ministers discussed ways to pursue a more growth-friendly fiscal policy mix on Monday (17 February), in a potential nudge to Germany and the Netherlands to spend more as fears of a downturn grow in the wake of the coronavirus epidemic.
Bulgaria changes legislation to join euro ‘waiting room’
Bulgaria's parliament adopted on Thursday (6 February) changes to the country's central bank law so as to allow its accession to the "waiting room" of the eurozone.
EU eyes phasing out smallest euro cent coins
The European Commission is considering a proposal to phase out 1-euro cent and 2-euro cent coins, an EU document showed, in what would be a cost-saving move as the coins' production and handling costs often exceed their face value.
In blow to Eurogroup head, EU Commission criticises Portugal’s budget
The European Commission said on Wednesday (15 January) that Portugal's draft budget for 2020 was at risk of breaking European Union fiscal rules because of insufficient progress in reducing its structural deficit.
No progress on reform of eurozone bailout fund until March
Reform of the eurozone bailout fund will remain frozen until at least March, a senior official said on Wednesday (15 January), as governments are still divided over technical details on bond restructuring.
Croatia highlights its Schengen and Eurozone ambitions
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković made it clear that Croatia, the latest EU newcomer, wants to join as soon as possible the Union’s inner circles – the borderless Schengen space and the Eurozone.