EU: A politically transformative deal, but unlikely to be the last word
After lengthy talks, EU leaders have agreed on a new budget and a recovery fund, demonstrating member states’ continued commitment in a moment of severe crisis. The deal is politically transformative in that it sets a powerful precedent, allowing the Commission to issue joint debt, part of which will be passed on to crisis-hit economies […]
EU: The biggest risks loom once the recovery money starts flowing
On 17-18 July, heads of state or government will convene for their first in-person summit since the outbreak of the pandemic. The goal for the special European Council is to agree a new multiannual financial framework (MFF) for the period 2021-27, including the envisaged EUR 750bn recovery fund. The German Council presidency keeps pushing for […]
EUROZONE: Merkron’s main risk is the interregnum (Italian politics in H2)
The Franco-German proposal for a budget-based recovery instrument is a promising first step, but significant political challenges still loom in H2/2020. A unique constellation of factors has motivated Berlin to move, but among the many open questions are reform commitments and repayment modalities. The main risk is that Italy’s potential need for immediate support sees […]
EUROPE: The domestic politics of the post-coronavirus era
● Lack of agreement at yesterday’s Eurogroup reflects the continued importance of domestic political constraints; this warrants a look at the future trajectory for Europe’s party politics. ● The short-term increase in some leaders’ popularity might fade in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, although it might last longer in some countries. ● The politicization […]
EUROPE: The politics of coronavirus – Daily update
Below is the latest edition of our daily Europe coronavirus update. Today we include a table summarizing the exit strategies from lockdowns being discussed in selected European countries. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you want to discuss any of the countries mentioned in more detail. Graph of the Day Several governments across […]
POLAND: PiS pushes ahead with the presidential poll despite Covid-19
Yesterday, 6 April, the lower house of parliament (Sejm) passed electoral code changes introducing universal postal vote in the May presidential election and allowing the speaker of the Sejm to postpone the date of the poll until 17 May. The legislation also introduces up to three-year prison sentences for stealing or forging the electoral ballots. […]
EUROPE: The politics of coronavirus – Daily update
Below is the latest edition of our daily Europe coronavirus update. Today we include a table summarizing the exit strategies from lockdowns being discussed in selected European countries. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you want to discuss any of the countries mentioned in more detail. Eurozone Agreement on any form of debt […]
EUROPE: The politics of coronavirus – Daily update
Below is the latest edition of our daily Europe coronavirus update. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you want to discuss any of the countries mentioned in more detail. Austria The government is starting to prepare for a gradual exit from the current lockdown. In practice, however, this means an extension of many […]
EUROPE: The politics of coronavirus – Daily update
Below is the latest edition of our daily Europe coronavirus update. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you want to discuss any of the countries mentioned in more detail. Graph of the day Italy The government is expected to issue during the weekend a new decree that will include additional measures to […]
EUROPE: The politics of coronavirus – Daily update
Below is the latest edition of our daily Europe coronavirus update. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you want to discuss any of the countries mentioned in more detail. Graph of the day Governments across Europe have put measures in place to support SMEs, which are being hit particularly hard by the Covid-19 […]