# Budget

(L-R) Dutch PM Mark Rutte, European Council President Charles Michel, French President Emmanuel Macron and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen participate in a last roundtable discussion following a four-day European summit at the European Council in Brussels, Belgium, early July 21, 2020. Photo: Stephanie Lecocq / Pool / AFP
(L-R) Dutch PM Mark Rutte, European Coun […]
Budget, coronavirus, Health, Infographic

EU leaders agree to link funds to rule of law

EU leaders have for the first time agreed to link payment of funds to a member state with respect for the bloc's legal norms -- though Poland and Hungary say they blocked tougher planned measures
2 months ago
European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen (L) and European Council President Charles Michel bump elbows after a news conference following a four-day European summit at the European Council in Brussels, Belgium, early July 21, 2020. Photo: Stephanie Lecocq / Pool / AFP
European Commission President Ursula Von […]
Budget, coronavirus, Health, Infographic

EU’s virus recovery plan: historic but imperfect

The 750-billion-euro coronavirus recovery deal struck by EU leaders may be a historic landmark, but analysts are already warning it comes with substantial flaws
2 months ago
Spain's PM Pedro Sanchez (L), French President Emmanuel Macron (C) and German Chancellor Angela Merkel (R) read documents during an EU summit in Brussels on July 20, 2020, as EU leaders held their first face-to-face summit over a post-virus economic rescue plan. Photo: John Thys / Pool / AFP
Spain's PM Pedro Sanchez (L), French Pre […]
Budget, coronavirus, Health

Five things to know about the EU virus recovery plan

The European Union's 27 member states emerged from an intense four-day and four-night summit brandishing a huge coronavirus recovery plan and a trillion-euro long-term budget
2 months ago
Belgium, Brussels: Ursula von der Leyen (r), President of the European Commission, takes part in a special session on the second day of the EU special summit. Photo: -/EU/XinHua/dpa
Belgium, Brussels: Ursula von der Leyen […]
Budget, coronavirus, Infographic

EU leaders cautiously optimistic deal on virus recovery fund in sight

European Union leaders are currently having major talks for a shared economic stimulus package to recoup the damage caused by the coronavirus pandemic for the fourth day in a row. An agreement seems difficult to reach.
2 months ago
(LtoR) Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, Netherlands' Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Sweden's Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen (up L), President of the European Council Charles Michel and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen meet on the sidelines of a special European Council summit in Brussels on February 20, 2020, held to discuss the next long-term budget of the European Union (EU). (Photo by Virginia Mayo / POOL / AFP)
(LtoR) Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Ku […]
Budget, coronavirus, Eurozone, Infographic

Sweden and Denmark step out of the shadows as EU’s frugals

Normally perceived as team players, Sweden and Denmark have found themselves playing the unaccustomed role of outliers in EU politics, blocking the widely backed COVID-19 recovery plan
3 months ago
(FILES) In this file photo taken on October 8, 2019 Irish Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe gestures during a photo call prior to presenting his Budget 2020 to parliament, at Government Buildings in Dublin. - Irish finance minister Paschal Donohoe was picked as the new president of the Eurogroup on July 9, 2020, which brings together the eurozone finance ministers who help guide European economic policy. (Photo by Paul FAITH / AFP)
(FILES) In this file photo taken on Octo […]
Budget, coronavirus, Eurozone, Infographic

Ireland’s Donohoe takes leadership of Eurogroup amid historic recession

Irish finance minister Paschal Donohoe has been picked as the new president of the Eurogroup, a key role as Europe sits in the depths of its deepest recession since World War II
3 months ago
Netherlands' Prime Minister Mark Rutte arrives for a European Union Summit at the Europa building in Brussels on December 12, 2019. - European Union leaders meet without Britain on December 12, but their departing neighbour's absence will not make agreeing a budget any easier. Inside the chamber, the clash over climate take Brexit's place as the dominant theme of the summit, the first to be chaired by incoming EU Council president Charles Michel. (Photo by Kenzo TRIBOUILLARD / AFP)
Netherlands' Prime Minister Mark Rutte a […]
Budget, coronavirus, Eurozone, Health, Infographic, Video, Video 3D

Dutch ‘preachers and salesmen’ lead EU frugality drive

The Netherlands will be at the centre of upcoming talks over European spending on the coronavirus crisis, driven by a mix of traditional Calvinist frugality and political reality, experts say
3 months ago