Debt
Belgium warns defense spending boost will hurt welfare state
“Defense definitely requires our full attention, but so does also the sustainability of our welfare state,” says Budget Minister Vincent Van Peteghem.
Postwar Russian energy return ‘illusory,’ Belgium says
The untold story of how Trump shocked Europe in a few short days
ECB expected to lower interest rates amid mounting recession fears
EU warms to boosting defense funding to secure eastern flank
Shootings, debt and political paralysis show Brussels is falling apart
Voters are the only ones who could stop Trump’s tariff game
Breton urges EU to flex its muscles on trade
The market volatility caused by Trump’s back and forth on tariffs shows the U.S. “is not in a strong position,” the former EU commissioner tells Le Soir.
EU channels inner ‘Buddha’ as it reels from White House shocks
Finance ministers gathering in Warsaw will discuss tariffs and rearmament.
Trump tariffs: What just happened ― and what’s Europe’s gameplan?
It was a week when penguins, bonds, the new German coalition, Louisiana soybeans, fossil fuels, the EU’s Digital Markets Act, France’s creaking politics and American bourbon all became one news story. POLITICO explains what got us all yippy.
Friedrich Merz’s cabinet: Who will lead Germany’s key ministries?
Here are the politicians most likely to occupy top posts in the next government.
Facing Trump tariff threat, Germany’s new government bets big on boosting economy
Friedrich Merz’s new administration promises tax cuts, energy price reductions and a blitz of public-private investment funds.
China condemns JD Vance’s ‘peasants’ jibe
Beijing hammers US vice president as lacking “knowledge and respect” in escalating feud.
Trump’s tariffs add urgency to Germany’s coalition talks, says Merz
Merz signals a tougher stance on economic policy.
France risks missing deficit target because of Trump’s trade war, economy minister says
PARIS —The trade war with the United States might prevent France from bringing down its sky-high budget deficit, French Economy and Finance Minister Eric Lombard said on …
UK joined European officials at secret dinner to plot radical rearmament fund
A supranational bank would sidestep the European Commission, involve the British, and allow defense-spending off the balance sheet.
Macron’s new ‘second brain’ is an economic whizz and … Taylor Swift fan
Emmanuel Moulin is set to take over as the French president’s chief of staff later this month.
Italy’s Meloni struggles to hold her coalition together
The Italian prime minister has kept her government surprisingly intact for years — but pressure is building as Donald Trump pushes Europe to pick sides.
ECB’s Rehn on Trump tariffs: Europe must give as good as it gets
Bank of Finland governor says the EU should draw up “proportionate countermeasures” against U.S. tariffs.
Farm fight erupts over Brussels budget shake-up
As budget hawks eye the EU’s farm billions, Agriculture Commissioner Christophe Hansen and the agri world are digging in to defend the status quo.
Can Keir Starmer bring down bills before bills bring him down?
Downing Street is worried about rising energy bills. Every option for bringing them under control could bring political pain.
From welfare cuts to Trump tariffs: 7 takeaways from the UK spring statement
Social security cuts, a Whitehall squeeze — and a (future) silver lining on growth. POLITICO sat through Rachel Reeves’ spring statement so you didn’t have to.
Southern Europe rebuffs von der Leyen’s debt-based defense plan
France, Italy and Spain are seeking to boost military spending based on grants rather than loans to avoid increasing their debt loads.
No Plan B? Labour’s Project Growth still isn’t paying off
British chancellor unveils latest fiscal update Wednesday as Labour MPs press for a Plan B.
Germany’s Merz loses leverage as coalition talks sputter
Incoming Chancellor Friedrich Merz is under growing pressure to win conservative policy concessions as coalition talks hit key stumbling blocks.
The EU’s funniest man
Belgian comedian (and Prime Minister) Bart De Wever’s 9 best quotes from the European Council summit.
How Berlin’s fiscal flip stunned Brussels and spooked its allies
The weeklong blitz on the EU’s fiscal rules generated more blowback than Germany ever expected.
UK chancellor will double down despite growing opposition
It’s a fiscal gamble, but for now, Reeves will continue to argue there’s no other way than to take the bet she’s making.