The European Commission invites comments on commitments offered by Amazon to address competition concerns over its use of non-public marketplace seller data and over a possible bias in granting sellers access to its Buy Box and its Prime programme. The Commission’s investigations Amazon is a data-driven company whose retail decisions are for most driven by automated systems, […]
Read MoreSummer 2022 Economic Forecast: Russia’s war worsens the outlook
Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine continues to negatively affect the EU economy, setting it on a path of lower growth and higher inflation compared to the Spring Forecast. The Summer 2022 (interim) Economic Forecast projects that the EU economy will grow by 2.7% in 2022 and 1.5% in 2023. Growth in the euro area is expected […]
Read MoreEU budget for 2023: Council agrees its position
Ambassadors of member states to the EU agreed the Council’s position on the 2023 EU draft budget. In total, the Council’s position for next year’s budget amounts to € 183.95 billion in commitments and € 165.74 billion in payments. Compared to the budget agreed by the Council and the European Parliament for 2022, this is […]
Read MoreCouncil adopts conclusions on the 2022 macroeconomic imbalance procedure – Ecofin July 12, 2022
Following the Economic and Financial Affairs Council meeting on July 12, the Council adopted conclusions on the 2022 in-depth reviews under the macroeconomic imbalances procedure. The Economic and Financial Affairs Council: Recalls that the EU economy is recovering from the COVID-19 crisis, while uncertainties remain high and rising, in particular due to the surging energy […]
Read MoreCouncil adopts Conclusions on EU Budget Sustainability – 12 July 2022
Following the Economic and Financial Affairs Council meeting on July 12, the Council adopted Conclusions on the Commission’s 2021 fiscal sustainability report. The Council (Ecofin): Welcomes the Commission’s “Fiscal Sustainability Report 2021”, which updates the assessment of fiscal sustainability risks across the European Union, based on an enriched multidimensional approach and drawing from the 2021 […]
Read MoreMEPs want better protection for consumers applying for loans online
The new EU rules aim at protecting consumers online from credit card debt, overdrafts and loans that are unsuitable for their financial situation. In a text adopted by the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee, with 42 votes in favour, 1 against and 1 abstentions, MEPs say that legislation should cover credit agreements of up […]
Read MoreEurozone finance ministers agree on fiscal policy guidelines
Macro-economic developments The Eurogroup discussed macro-economic developments and policy challenges in the euro area in the current global context, with input from the International Monetary Fund, which presented the outcome of its interim visit, carried out in the context of its Article IV consultation of the euro area. The IMF Article IV review of the euro area is a regular […]
Read MoreECB takes further steps to incorporate climate change into its monetary policy operations
The Governing Council of the European Central Bank (ECB) has decided to take further steps to include climate change considerations in the Eurosystem’s monetary policy framework. It decided to adjust corporate bond holdings in the Eurosystem’s monetary policy portfolios and its collateral framework, to introduce climate-related disclosure requirements and to enhance its risk management practices. […]
Read MoreFinal vote on the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act
On Tuesday, Parliament held the final vote on the new Digital Services Act (DSA) and Digital Markets Act (DMA), following a deal reached between Parliament and Council on 23 April and 24 March respectively. The two bills aim to address the societal and economic effects of the tech industry by setting clear standards for how they operate and […]
Read More