By Christian Egenhofer, Jorge Núñez Ferrer, and Irina Kustova, courtesy of the Center for European Policy Studies The economic slow-down caused by the pandemic will aggravate the existing stress in some regions, especially those relying on lignite, coal and peat as their main economic activity. But efficient and effective use of COVID-19 recovery funds […]
Tag: eu
Europe urgently needs a capital markets union
By Maria Demertzis, courtesy of the Bruegel Institute Necessary though it was, the temporary relaxation of state aid rules in the EU has brought grave unintended consequences. Through indiscriminate support, the EU is rapidly moving from an even playing field that promotes the “survival of the fittest” to a situation where only those […]
The Great EU Airline Refund Scam
By Bill Wirtz, courtesy of the Austrian Economics Center At first 12, now 16 EU member states are looking to overturn rules requiring airlines to refund passengers with cash payments if their flight had been cancelled as a result of COVID-19 travel restrictions. The companies have been lobbying the European Council to disable […]
Why German banking rules are different
“Banking regulation in the Euro Area: Germany is different” By Nicolas Véron, courtesy of the Bruegel Institute Despite progress in recent years towards a single banking policy framework in the euro area – a banking union – much of the German banking system has remained partly sheltered from uniform rules and disciplines that now […]
EU should cancel African debt to push back on Chinese influence
“Why the EU should take the lead in canceling Africa’s debt” By Loes Debuysere, courtesy of CEPS If the EU wants to live up to its recent ‘partnership of equals’ commitment to Africa, it should take the lead and urge the international community to cancel a part of Africa’s bilateral, multilateral and private debt […]
IMF should double funds to $2T, offer debt moratorium for COVID-19 crisis response
“COVID19: Increase in IMF resources and debt moratorium urgently needed” By Cristoph Trebesch and Rolf J. Langhammer, courtesy of IfW Kiel Never in its 75-year history has the IMF been more important for global financial and economic stability than now in the corona pandemic. Already 90 countries have applied for credit assistance in […]
Does COVID-19 pose a threat to the EU’s climate neutrality efforts?
By Sofia López Piqueres, courtesy of EPC There is a real danger that the COVID-19 crisis will derail the Union’s climate efforts. But rather than use the current situation as an excuse not to act, EU leaders need to show statesmanship now more than ever by daring to tackle the climate, health and […]
Will SURE Shield EU Workers from the Corona Crisis?
By Cinzia Alcidi and Francesco Corti, courtesy of CEPS Since the first cases of COVID-19 contagion, the European Commission has undertaken several initiatives to offer member states financial support to face the crisis. The last intervention came on April 1st, when Commission President von der Leyen proposed the creation of a temporary […]
Eurobonds were a bad idea. “Coronabonds” are too
“Coronabonds: Eurobonds Redux in Times of COVID-19” By Bill Wirtz, courtesy of the Austrian Economics Center As the Coronavirus pandemic continues to affect European countries – and the most affected countries are simultaneously the more indebted Eurozone countries, the issue of mutualized debt has once again been put on the agenda. Spain and Italy […]
Global digital tax proposal is a recipe for decline
“Opinion: Harmful attempts to plan and regulate the global economy” By Prince Michael von Liechtenstein, courtesy of ECAEF Recently, a G20 summit of finance ministers was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The main concern of the summiteers was not the condition of the global economy, but two other issues: taxing the digital economy and taming digital […]