Regional Policy
EU leaders to call on Commission to review key policies by mid-2025
Est. 2minEU leaders are set to call on the new European Commission to present in-depth policy reviews by mid-2025 to fulfil the bloc's long-term ambitions, according to draft summit conclusions seen by Euractiv.
Oliver Röpke’s big tent approach in his first year as EESC president
Est. 6minAfter one year in office, the launch of a bold manifesto including the voices of youth, an emphasis on gender equality, and a fresh approach to enlargement, Oliver Röpke, President of the EESC is making waves with a Blue Deal.
Germany’s Habeck calls for ‘Zeitenwende’ on industrial subsidies
Est. 5minIn a plea to coalition partners and the European Commission, German Economy Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) called for more subsidies to secure industrial production and jobs.
The Brief – The cash dispenser that needs repair
Est. 7minThe EU’s cohesion policy accounts for the biggest chunk of its budget, yet it is distributed through back-door negotiations, far away from public attention. For transparency's sake, this needs to change – especially as new, less-developed countries will still join the bloc.
Don’t touch my money: Rich regions concerned by perspective of EU enlargement
Est. 6minWealthier European Union regions are concerned that enlargement could result in a reduction in cohesion funds, but the European Commission said it is still too early to start talking about money.
ECB’s Lagarde calls for EU-issued green bonds
Est. 5minThe European Central Bank (ECB), the European Investment Bank (EIB), and the International Energy Agency (IEA) have called for a faster transition towards clean energy, with ECB President Christine Lagarde arguing for a "green Capital Markets Union" and EU-issued green bonds.
Germany’s reunification, 33 years on: East-West divide persists
Est. 5min33 years after German reunification, wealth disparities still form the “most significant differences” between the former West and the East, German government Commissioner Carsten Schneider said, but differences within the government make it impossible to counteract.
Special pensions, tax exemptions plague Romania’s budget as EU scrutiny continues
Est. 7minRomania’s ballooning public deficit has warranted European scrutiny as spending has increased thanks to an overly generous special pensions system for a select number of public officials while revenues have been hurt by a number of tax exemptions.
High budget deficit puts pressure on Bucharest government
Est. 5minThe Romanian government is under increasing pressure to reign in its soaring budget deficit, risking punitive measures by the EU Commission if the budget deficit is not brought back under control before the end of the year.
Experts, cities, regions worried over repurposing of cohesion funds
Est. 5minThe European Commission’s plan to reshuffle cohesion funds to finance innovative technologies is heightening concerns over the repeated use of the EU’s place-based policy to address new emerging needs and EU’s recentralising tendencies.
Hungary’s blocked EU funds: MEPs concerned over ongoing rule of law issues
Est. 3minHungary needs to fulfil all conditions required to unblock EU funds as soon as possible to ensure they reach citizens and businesses, EU lawmakers from the budgetary control committee said, as rule of law problems persist.
European Parliament divided in debate over new debt rules
Est. 4minIn a parliamentary debate on the European Commission’s proposal for new fiscal rules, EU lawmakers offered views diverging widely along both ideological and national lines, putting the Parliament’s ability to make its voice heard in the upcoming negotiations in doubt.
Hungary must go further to access EU funds, says Commission
Est. 3minThe impasse between the EU and Hungary over access to the bloc’s post-pandemic recovery funds remains, despite moves by Hungarian lawmakers this week to adopt new laws to address EU rule of law concerns.
Cohesion funds increase inequality within EU regions, study finds
Est. 4minThe EU's cohesion policy, which aims at reducing regional disparities, benefits high-skilled, richer households more than low-income households and exacerbates inequality within EU regions, according to a recent study.
Germany launches pooling platform to support Ukraine’s reconstruction
Est. 4minThe German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development on Monday (27 March) launched a new digital platform to reinforce German commitment to the reconstruction process in Ukraine.
Industrial policy: Will the EU have the money to finance its ambitions?
Est. 6minThe European Commission put forward ambitious proposals last week that aim to position the EU as a global leader in green industry growth, yet how the plans will be financed remains an open question.
Croatia PM unveils new €1.7 billion relief package
Est. 2minPrime Minister Andrej Plenkovic presented a new relief package worth €1.7 billion at a meeting behind closed doors of Croatia’s Economic and Social Council (GSV) on Monday. The new measures are grouped into three main areas, intended to offset the rising …
EU’s Breton: Joint debt for green transition no longer a priority
Est. 5minJoint borrowing is currently not an option to help member states finance the green transition, Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton said on Monday (13 March), marking a shift from previous calls for 'mutualised tools' at the European level.
EU state aid: The good and the bad of opening the floodgates
Est. 5minThe EU’s Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework (TCTF), which allows member states to subsidise sustainable technologies, is welcomed by advocates for green industrial policy - but some NGOs fear it will be counterproductive for the environment and SMEs.
Romania finds ways to unlock €3 billion recovery plan payment
Est. 2minThe government has found ways to address the milestones needed for Romania to get the second payment of the national recovery and resilience plan – funds that the Commission has blocked since January. Romanian officials and Commission representatives have discussed the …
Spain, Commission agree to controversial pension reform
Est. 2minThe government and the European Commission reached a last-minute agreement on a controversial pension system reform which paves the way for Madrid to receive the next tranches of the EU’s Next Generation funds. After months of work and tangible divergences between …
Spanish construction giant headquartering in Netherlands causes uproar
Est. 2minThe unexpected announcement by the Spanish construction giant Ferrovial to move its headquarters from Madrid to The Netherlands over better tax policies prompted a storm of reactions in Spain on Thursday, with left-wing junior coalition member Unidas Podemos accusing the …
EU prosecutors prove to be a welcome addition to Croatia’s anti-corruption efforts
Est. 4minThe European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), which investigates fraud and corruption related to EU funds, launched 23 investigations in Croatia in 2022 for cases with total estimated damages of over €313 million, according to their annual report released on Wednesday. Since …
Slovakia moving forward with biggest investment in green electricity
Est. 2minSlovakia has approximately €122 million earmarked for developing renewable electricity production in the National Recovery plan.