Central Banker
Bulgaria adopts the euro
“The introduction of the euro is the final milestone in Bulgaria’s integration into the European Union,” president says, but public opinion isn’t so convinced.
French budget chaos hobbles right-wing presidential hopefuls
EU to pay €3B a year in interest for Ukraine loan
Council prioritizes privacy, banking concerns in digital euro deal
Putin blasts attempted EU ‘robbery’ of Russian assets
France to end year without budget as lawmakers fail to strike deal
ECB’s Lagarde warns against breaking EU law with Ukraine loan
ECB keeps rates unchanged as prospects brighten
The central bank has raised its growth forecasts after dodging Donald Trump’s trade bullets.
Bank of England cuts rates again as UK economy falters
The central bank’s cut is the fourth this year.
France’s budget D-day set for Friday
Time is running out for lawmakers hoping to get a budget done ahead of the new year.
Belgium says Russian assets plan ‘going backward’ ahead of EU summit
The EU is in a race against time to appease Belgian concerns over a €210 billion financing package for Ukraine that leverages frozen Russian state assets.
Fall in UK inflation sets up BoE interest rate cut
The news comes only a day after labor market data showed the unemployment rate rising to its highest level in over four years.
French parliament approves social security budget
The tough task of enacting a state budget still looms.
Belgium shoots down EU offer to unblock Russian assets stalemate
The concessions are not enough for Bart De Wever’s government amid growing demands for the Commission to explore other options to finance Ukraine.
Small Cyprus faces Europe’s big moment
Nicosia has the unprecedented task of helming EU affairs at a time when the continent faces multiple crises, but has ramped up to meet the moment.
French Senate sets up pre-Christmas budget showdown
France could end the year without a state budget for 2026 if no compromise is struck.
Trump’s man in Brussels: The EU must stop being ‘the world’s regulator’
Be innovators instead, urges Andrew Puzder.
Belgium demands extra cash buffer for Russian assets loan
The threat of Kremlin retaliation has Belgium demanding more money to protect Euroclear.
France, Italy told they won’t be hurt by EU’s €210B megaloan to Ukraine
Brussels’ letter soothes French and Italian fears that signing up to the loan might damage investor confidence.
French PM scores big win as social security budget clears major hurdle
But Sébastien Lecornu isn’t out of the woods yet.
European Parliament wins chance of bigger say in ECB vice president race
Early private hearings will give lawmakers a chance to press key demands such as gender balance.
Trump thrashes European leaders: ‘I think they’re weak’
This article is also available in French and German. President Donald Trump denounced Europe as a “decaying” group of nations led by “weak” people in an interview …
Japan rebuffs EU plea to join Russian assets plan
Brussels wants its international allies to copy its strategy for financing Kyiv’s defense.
4 questions as France faces critical budget crunch
The French government’s future is riding on a key budget vote slated for Tuesday.
Here’s how EU capitals would divvy up Ukraine loan backstop under €210B frozen assets plan
Germany faces the biggest potential bill — €52 billion — for guaranteeing a proposed loan against frozen Russian assets.
Hungary shoots down eurobonds as alternative to EU’s Russian asset plan
Friday’s veto of a joint debt issue raises the stakes for efforts to convince Belgium to release frozen assets.
Trump: Sorry Europe, Wall Street must stay on top
U.S. president’s security strategy comes as Europe looks to grow its own finance system to reduce the continent’s dependence on Wall Street.
Lagarde: Leaders must ensure female presence in ECB leadership
The shortlist for the new vice-presidency suggests a further extension of male dominance in the Eurosystem.
ECB frets at prospect of Trump ally running US central bank
A politicized Fed could be bad news for central banks everywhere, officials fear.