Central Banker

A leaked budget shows British politics is still living hand-to-mouth
Embattled Chancellor Rachel Reeves wants to finally end the economic doom loop — but it could still swallow her whole.

Markets give a cautious welcome to Reeves’ messy UK budget

EU will speed up Ukraine’s €140B loan, vows von der Leyen

ECB has new plan to boost Europe’s global influence

EU countries seek urgent plan B to fund Ukraine

EU spending review: Winners and losers

Britain prepares to muddle through yet another budget
Belgium avoids government collapse as Bart De Wever strikes budget deal
Months of disagreement finally come to an end.
ECB Lagarde flags essential steps to fuller union for raising growth
Central bank president delivers a rueful “told you so”
Belgium’s deputy PM in pole position to lead Eurogroup
Vincent Van Peteghem is emerging as the immediate favorite to fill the position created by Paschal Donohoe’s resignation.
Rachel Reeves wants to slash energy bills. Here’s how.
Britain’s chancellor wants to start making good on a flagship Labour promise … just don’t mention the tax increases.
Eurogroup President Paschal Donohoe quits as Irish finance minister
Donohoe will become managing director and chief knowledge officer at the World Bank.
Macron unhappy with some budget concessions but ‘compromise is indispensable’
“Today, because the French have decided so, the political situation has changed and we must work differently,” Macron said.
Spain seen gunning for top job at European Central Bank
But Germany may also want a say in the race to replace Christine Lagarde.
EU economy grows more than expected in 2025 despite Trump’s tariffs
Poland and Spain are set to expand at a significantly faster pace than the EU average.
Inequality is a problem on the scale of climate change, say eminent economists
Leading economists have proposed a panel to address global inequality modelled on the UN’s climate body.
French parliament votes to suspend Macron’s controversial pensions reform
In hitting the pause button, the legislature eased domestic political tensions but invited criticism it isn’t taking the country’s debt and spending problems seriously.
Trump’s tariffs have hurt less than expected so far, says ECB’s Kocher
Tentative signs of a stable recovery will allow for a stable rate policy, Austria’s new central banker tells POLITICO.
Orbán counts on Trump going full Argentina to save him from election doom
The specter of Washington throwing a financial lifeline to save its ally in Budapest echoes another controversial White House gambit.
Von der Leyen tries to keep Meloni onside by stalling action over banking saga
Brussels has completed its analysis of Italy’s decision to block the merger of two Milanese banks, but Ursula von der Leyen has yet to take action.
EU tells skeptical Bulgarians the euro is their guardian angel in a dangerous world
European leaders want to dispel anti-euro sentiment in Bulgaria two months before it joins the single currency.
Trump turns crypto pariahs into power players
Trump’s embrace of crypto has extended to overseas digital assets giants once under the gun in Washington.
Farage’s deputy calls for fresh debate over Bank of England remit
Deputy leader of poll-leading populist party wants debate over the make-up and role of the Monetary Policy Committee.
French parliament likely to miss key budget deadline
Lawmakers unlikely to have enough time to work through more than 2,400 amendments that still need to be discussed and voted on.
IMF support for Ukraine hinges on Russian assets loan, EU warns
Brussels fears the IMF could cancel aid unless Belgium agrees to back a €140 billion reparations loan to Ukraine.
Eurozone inflation slows despite rising cost of services
Numbers suggest the ECB will likely be reluctant to lower interest rates any further for the foreseeable future.
‘Amazing meeting’: Trump touts progress on multiple fronts with China after meeting Xi
The president said the meeting with the Chinese leader exceeded expectations, and he lowered the tariff rate.
EU plays hardball: If you won’t seize Russia’s cash, open your wallets
The idea of joint European borrowing is rejected by most of the bloc’s governments. That’s why the Commission is using it as leverage to get them to approve the use of Moscow’s assets for Ukraine.
Trump’s bet pays off as chainsaw-wielding Milei wins big in Argentina midterm election
“BIG WIN in Argentina for Javier Milei, a wonderful Trump Endorsed Candidate! He’s making us all look good,” U.S. president cheers.
Moody’s cuts outlook on France as Lecornu struggles to pass budget
Moody’s decision not to lower France’s credit rating will be a relief for the government after downgrades by S&P and Fitch in recent weeks.
EU businesses say things are getting better … except in France
Europe appears to be doing surprisingly well — with a notable exception.