Polish public debt exceeds EU’s 60% GDP limit
The rising debt in Poland has been driven by one of the fastest growing budget deficits in the EU.
Finance
Latest reporting and analysis on finance.
ECB raises rates for first time since 2023
From June 17, the deposit facility rate rises to 2.25 per cent, the main refinancing rate to 2.40 per cent and the marginal lending rate to 2.65 per cent.
EU raises €8 billion in bond sale as investor demand tops €160 billion
The sale formed part of a €100 billion funding target set by Brussels for the first half of 2026.
German auto giants face deepening crisis as global rivals pull ahead
The German's challenge is combined by a broader slowdown across the global automotive sector.
Leading German Union wants to take 10 per cent of assets of the ‘super rich’
Germany faces significant budgetary challenges, including high energy costs, defence spending needs, and the costs of the green transition.
Bulgaria faces EU deficit procedure months after joining euro
The country's deficit reached 3.5 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) last year, above the 3 per cent ceiling set for euro members.
France lands record €93 billion in foreign investment
"This edition of Choose France alone will make it possible to crystallise a record amount of €93 billion in confirmed investments, for more than 15,000 jobs,"…
Croatia’s Vujčić takes over as ECB vice-president
Vujčić has led the Croatian National Bank since 2012 and steered his country into the euro in 2023.
The impossible debt: Europe arrives at the long run Keynes brushed aside
The European Central Bank holds close to 40 per cent of some governments' debt.
German Economic Council slashes growth forecast and warns of soaring social insurance costs
The downgrade is attributed primarily to the economic fallout from the Iran conflict, including sharply higher energy prices.
EU budget: Germany’s contributions could rise by 80 per cent, Belgian PM warns for ‘dizzying’ bill
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen would like to have more than €2 trillion at her disposal between 2028 and 2034.
Northern EU states reject ‘Friends of Cohesion’ push to expand farm budget and stretch recovery debt repayment
The signatories argued in their statement that the CAP, the Common Fisheries Policy and Cohesion were "the only policies facing cuts in real terms".
IMF urges France to rein in public spending and accelerate fiscal consolidation
In assessment of the country, the Fund noted that France's public spending reached the highest level in the euro area.
Airbus and Air France convicted over 2009 Rio-Paris crash
The Paris Court of Appeal ruled today that the airline and the European aerospace manufacturer were "solely and entirely responsible for the crash of flight AF447".
EU’s Spring 2026 Economic Forecast sees growth down, inflation up
The Commission noted weaker private consumption and investment, compounded by persistent structural problems.
Eurozone business activity shrinks further in May
Business activity in the eurozone contracted further in May, weighed down by weak demand caused by the Middle East war, a key survey showed Thursday.
EU expects to give green light ‘very soon’ on first €90 billion Ukraine loan payment
"The negotiations are going very well. Give us a bit more time and we hope to be able to give the definitive green light on this front very soon".
Shakira wins €60 million tax battle as Spanish court rejects 2011 fraud case
In a statement, the singer said there had "never [been] any fraud" and expressed relief after years of what she called sleepless nights and reputational damage.
Poland’s hydrogen bus push falters on high fuel costs
The city of Rybnik reported that hydrogen fleets were more than three times as costly as diesel and four times as costly as hybrids, the report said.
New book alleges ‘fraud, tax evasion and culture of deception’ at ‘green’ EU darling Northvolt
A new book by award-winning Swedish investigative journalist Gunnar Lindstedt alleges there was a culture of deception, financial mismanagement and regulatory failure…
ECB warns oil shock could force rate hike in June
Alexander Demarco said hopes that the eurozone could ride out the energy spike were "fading" and that he expected the conflict,
Alleged top criminal in Sweden-based Foxtrot gang arrested in Tunisia
The suspect has been identified by Swedish media as Mohamed “Moewgli” Mohdhi.
JP Morgan boss threatens to axe £3bn UK investment if Labour swings Left with Starmer replacement
Jamie Dimon, chairman and chief executive of JP Morgan Chase, has warned that the bank could scrap plans for a £3 billion (€3.
Poland embarks on a path of rising debt and record deficits
On May 8th, the Polish government was set to sign the SAFE defence procurement loan agreement with the European Commission in Warsaw.
Buying a pig in a poke?: Polish Government signs EU defence loan with interest rate unknown
Poland’s finance minister Andrzej Domanski has admitted the government was about to sign the loan being taken out under the European Union’s Security Action…
Spanish Government diverted another €8.5 billion in EU funds to pay for pensions and social spending
The government has not clarified another €3 billion for civil servants' pensions in 2025 that may have been funded the same way.
Norway lifts key rate to 4.25 per cent as Middle East war stokes inflation
In a statement on Thursday, Norges Bank governor Ida Wolden Bache said: "Inflation is too high and has run above target for several years."
Lufthansa warns of hefty fuel cost hit, preparing for shortages
German airline giant Lufthansa said today its 2026 fuel bill would be 1.
EC approves defence loan for Poland helping Tusk government sidestep President’s veto
Poland is set to become the first country to sign an agreement under the European Union's Security Action for Europe (SAFE) defence loan programme.
EU’s €90 bn ‘loan’ to Kiev is a bet on Ukraine victory and Russian humiliation. Oh, sure thing
The EU has finally agreed to lend Ukraine another €90 billion.