# Budget

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
7 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.
7 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
8 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
8 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, Economy, Eurozone, Health, Infographic, Video 3D, Videos

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
8 months ago
EU foreign affairs high representative Josep Borrell gestures during a video press conference on the 10th EU-China Strategic Dialogue, at the European Commission in Brussels on June 9, 2020. Photo: Kenzo Tribouillard / Pool / AFP
EU foreign affairs high representative J […]
Budget, Coronavirus, Defence and security, Infographic

EU says needs more cash to fight Chinese disinformation

The EU's diplomatic chief has called for more resources from member states to fight disinformation from China, warning that Europe needed to stop being naive in its dealings with Beijing
9 months ago
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks during a plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels on May 27, 2020, amid the crisis linked with the Covid-19 pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus. Photo: Kenzo Tribouillard / AFP
European Commission President Ursula von […]
Budget, Coronavirus, Health, Infographic

EU hopes to heal rifts in debate on post-virus plan

Europe's scattergun approach to the coronavirus epidemic has called into question the EU's ability to rise to the challenge, but Brussels hopes its economic recovery plan will mark a turning point
9 months ago
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks during a plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels on May 27, 2020, amid the Covid-19 pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus. Photo: Kenzo Tribouillard / AFP
European Commission President Ursula von […]
Budget, Coronavirus, Health, Infographic

Battle ahead for EU’s 750-bn-euro recovery plan

European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen has proposed a 750-billion-euro post-virus recovery fund for Europe and urged sceptical member states to back it.
9 months ago
German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrives to address a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron, who attends via video link, at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, on May 18, 2020 on the effects of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Kay NIETFELD / POOL / AFP)
German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrives […]
Budget, Coronavirus, Eurozone, Health, Infographic, Video 3D

French-German recovery plan faces tough Brussels test

The road to clinch an EU recovery plan remains difficult, officials have warned, despite the surprise entente between Berlin and Paris to back a 500 billion euro rescue
9 months ago
A person wearing a protective face mask walks by the EU Commission building bearing a banner that reads "Coronavirus Global Response" in Brussels on May 6, 2020, as the country is under lockdown to stop the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus. (Photo by Kenzo TRIBOUILLARD / POOL / AFP)
A person wearing a protective face mask […]
Budget, Coronavirus, Health, Infographic, Videos

Europe’s ‘historic’ recession threatens eurozone survival

The EU has forecast that the eurozone economy will contract by a staggering 7.7 percent in 2020, warning the wreckage from the coronavirus outbreak could endanger the single currency
10 months ago