Romania nears OECD membership but its deficit is unwelcome in a club built on borrowed money
Romania has completed 24 of the 25 committee reviews required to join the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). One hurdle remains.
Economy
Latest reporting and analysis on economy.
Lufthansa cancels 20,000 flights over fuel price hikes and strikes
Germany’s flagship carrier Lufthansa is set to cut 20,000 flights in the coming months to save on jet fuel and deal with additional costs from airline staff strikes.
EC proposes full revival of EU-Syria co-operation agreement
Von der Leyen travelled to Damascus in January, alongside European Council President António Costa.
‘Will not suffice to maintain standard of living’: Germany’s Merz urges pension reform
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (Christian Democratic Union, CDU) has spoken out in favour of far-reaching reforms of the country’s creaking public pension system.
Industrial policy or collective defence: Europe picks one
Another round of couples counseling last week failed to resolve the grinding Franco-Teuton dispute over the beleaguered Future Combat Air System (FCAS).
EC energy chief warns of ‘pretty tough’ summer ‘as Iran war drives up prices’
Jørgensen cautioned that air travel would become more expensive and that, in some cases, the bloc could even see flight cancellations as carriers struggle with…
‘Build Chinese cars in Volkswagen plants,’ says Lower Saxony’s PM
The Minister-President of Lower Saxony has suggested that Volkswagen should consider allowing Chinese manufacturers to produce vehicles in underutilised German plants…
EU industrial policy fails, so European prime ministers go to China
Pedro Sánchez arrived in Beijing on April 14, 2026 to a full military honours reception and left having signed nineteen bilateral agreements with China — covering…
French energy giant Engie HQ searched in fresh twist to Dati EP alleged corruption probe
French anti-corruption police have searched the headquarters of energy group Engie, formerly GDF Suez, as part of an ongoing investigation into suspicions that the…
Lead by example: Suspend Strasbourg EP sessions and save fuel by staying in Brussels, say Dutch MEPs
A cross-party group of four Dutch MEPs has written to European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, calling for an immediate temporary end to the monthly relocation…
German airlines demand government step in to avert looming kerosene crisis
Germany’s airlines and airports are sounding the alarm as dwindling jet fuel stocks threaten to cause a collapse in air travel in the coming months.
Slovakia to block EU sanctions against Russia unless Druzhba pipeline reopened
Slovakia is ready block a new package of European Union sanction against Russia.
Wizz Air says had problems with jet fuel supply in Italy
Hungarian low-cost airline Wizz Air has encountered some jet fuel shortages at three airports in Italy, its chief executive said Friday, following warnings about…
France backpedals and cancels low-emission zones for cars
The French Senate has voted to abolish low vehicle-emissions zones (Zones à Faibles Émissions – ZFE), marking a significant reversal of a flagship green policy…
Twelve arrests in raid on suspected international drug-trafficking ring
Europol supported police authorities in Montenegro and Germany in an operation targeting an alleged Balkan drugs cartel.
Sweden thwarted 2025 pro-Russian cyber attack on thermal power plant
Sweden thwarted a pro-Russian cyber attack on a thermal power plant in mid-2025, the government said on Wednesday, saying the group behind it was linked to Russian…
‘Road maintenance overlooked in debates on CO2 emissions,’ say roadmakers
Poorly maintained roads are costing Europe billions, boosting emissions and endangering lives, according to industry leaders and policymakers.
UK approves German takeover of Telegraph newspaper
The UK government today gave the green light for German media group Axel Springer to buy British newspaper The Telegraph, ending a drawn-out pursuit of the 170-year-old…
Eni CEO calls for suspension of EU ban on Russian gas amid Middle East turmoil
Claudio Descalzi, chief executive of Italian energy major Eni, has urged the European Union to suspend its planned ban on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG).
The piffle from von der Leyen: ‘The Union grows stronger’
Last weekend, on nearly opposite sides of the EU, two states revealed how the cumbrous juggernaut of the union is not working. No, sorry, cannot be made to work.
Soft democracy, no vote? Labour setting up UK to align with EU in string of sectors
Ministers in the UK Labour government are set to introduce a bill that would enable the country to align with evolving European Union regulations in selected areas…
‘Money pit’: EV write-offs of leading carmakers hit €60 billion in 2025
European and US automotive companies have had to write off almost €60 billion in investments in electric vehicle (EV) projects in 2025, according to a new study…
‘Expected decline’: Porsche sales plummet again
German carmaker Porsche has seen its sales drop again, with around 60,910 vehicles sold in the first quarter of 2026, a 15 per cent decrease compared with the same…
Is there a risk of a gas shortage in Europe this winter?
The European gas market is under pressure due to the geopolitical situation and low stock levels.
Nothing says net zero emissions like zero economic activity
Last month, EU leaders met to consider the impact of high energy prices on Europe’s industrial competitiveness.
Official Dutch food advice: Eat less meat – for the planet
The Dutch official nutrition authority has unveiled a major update to its long-standing dietary guidelines.
France withdraws entire gold reserve from US
France has quietly finished moving the last of its gold out of the US and turned the operation into a very profitable deal.
Italy PM suggests suspending EU spending rules over Iran war
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said today the European Union should consider temporarily suspending its strict spending rules if the Iran war and the resulting…
Germany rakes in €500 million extra from fuel tax in March – but still no tax cuts
The rocketing prices for petrol and diesel are proving a boon for Germany's finance minister.
Fuel crisis: Governments and private sector profit while workers pay price
The European Union is witnessing growing fuel chaos as a temporary ceasefire in the Iran conflict, and the partial reopening of the Strait of Hormuz briefly eased…