Nato allies are expected to agree to raise defence spending target to five percent of GDP at the Hague summit. But previous broken promises and Spain’s reluctance highlight growing tensions between military demands and protecting domestic social welfare budgets.
Trade benefits, which suspended tariffs and quotas on Ukrainian agri-food exports to support the cash-strapped Ukrainian economy after the Russian invasion in 2022, will not be renewed for the third time. The decision has been questioned by Ukrainian experts, while the country’s farming unions predict potential losses of up to €1.5bn.
As short-term rental regulations grow, investors are shifting towards so-called ‘mid-term’ accommodation. With legal frameworks often ignoring rentals longer than 30 days, rising demand from students and mobile workers has created a new haven for real-estate capital — deepening pressure on housing markets.
While the EU Commission seeks to reduce strategic dependencies, Europe continues to import nearly a third of its blood plasma from the US. The problematic question is whether donation systems should offer cash incentives — or push for 100 percent voluntary donations.
In Spain, fertility is not only declining — women are also having nearly one child fewer than they intend. In the midst of a broader European demographic decline, experts point to acute economic uncertainty, labour instability, and persistent gender inequality as key drivers.
The recent influx of Ukrainian war refugees has deepened the longer-term exodus from eastern Europe — both from EU member states and candidate countries. With most migration flows benefiting western Europe, is the European Union prepared to confront growing regional imbalances amid an overall population decline?
Amid escalating tariff threats, the US Department of Agriculture turned to the EU for egg imports. We crack open whether Europe can help — beyond the question of whether it should.
As the European Commission sets out its vision for a single market for defence in its white paper due on Wednesday, we take a close look at global and European trends and the industry’s readiness to meet new challenges.
Across Europe, rising rents, soaring property prices, and increasing urban demand are eroding citizens’ purchasing power, making it harder to meet other essential needs. However, 27 percent of households in urban areas are living in under-occupied homes across Europe. Could making better use of existing housing be part of the solution?
The EU minimum wage directive set a November 2024 deadline for national capitals to align their minimum wages against two criteria. Only Slovenia and France have met the targets on time.
Despite real wages largely recovering in most EU countries, many people still feel poorer today than before. Looking at the data, it is not so difficult to understand why.