Europe

Croatia

Economics

Politics

The European Commission and the European Central Bank (ECB) announced that Croatia meets the criteria for adopting the euro and so should enter the eurozone on Jan. 1, 2023, Euractiv reported June 1.

EU, Croatia: Zagreb Meets Criteria to Join Eurozone in 2023

The Fate of the Eurozone

Inflation in the eurozone rose to 8.1% in May from 7.4% in April, Eurostat announced May 31.

EU: Inflation in Eurozone Reaches Record High in May

Poland

Poland's lower house of Parliament approved legislation that will replace the controversial Disciplinary Chamber of the Supreme Court, which the European Union has critiqued, with a new body, Politico reported May 26.

Poland: Parliament Approves Judicial Reforms to Unfreeze EU Funds

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced that his government had reached a compromise with the European Commission over reforming the Polish judiciary, Polska Times reported May 15.

Poland: Warsaw's Compromise With EU Commission Will Unblock EU Funding

Russia

Energy

The European Commission clarified its stance on how European companies can pay for Russian natural gas using the Kremlin-sponsored payment mechanism at Gazprombank without violating EU sanctions, Reuters reported May 16.

Europe: ​​European Commission Issues New Guidance on Russian Natural Gas Payments

Finland

Finland's President Sauli Niinisto and Prime Minister Sanna Marin issued a joint statement supporting Finland's membership in NATO, the BBC reported May 12.

Finland: President, Prime Minister Support NATO Membership

Sweden

The secretary of Sweden's governing Social Democratic Party, Tobias Baudin, said the party will unveil its official position on NATO membership on May 15 to "keep up with Finland," Euractiv reported May 9.

Sweden: Governing Party to Announce Position on NATO Membership on May 15

China

The European Council and the European Parliament will formally begin discussions on May 5 to adopt a regulation that will increase scrutiny on foreign companies receiving financial support in their home countries that could distort the EU single market, the European Parliament announced May 4.

EU: Negotiations on Stricter Controls for Subsidized Foreign Companies Begin

As the European Union’s political order breaks down, so too will its monetary union, the eurozone. At the core of the crisis is the struggle over the good of nations versus the good of the whole. Put simply, richer nations are tired of shouldering the financial responsibility of the entire union. And as some eurozone members become increasingly weighed down by high debt and deficit levels, fragile economies and weak banking sectors, other eurozone members are turning to Euroskeptic and nationalist parties that want to leave the currency union altogether.

As the European Union’s political order breaks down, so too will its monetary union, the eurozone.

Estonia

France

Germany

Greece

Latvia

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Malta

Belgium

Portugal

Cyprus

Austria

Slovakia

Slovenia

Netherlands

Spain

Italy

Ireland

EU: Regional Blocs

Divided EU Foreign Policies

Brexit

Banking

Globalization

European Disintegration

Assessments

A photo taken on May 3, 2022, shows Slovakia's largest mineral oil refinery Slovnaft, which receives most of its crude supplies from Russia via the Soviet-era Druzhba pipeline.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Brussels' newly proposed sanctions could cause energy prices in Europe to surge even higher, especially if Moscow cuts off the bloc's natural gas supplies in retaliation.

A Ban on Russian Oil Risks Dealing Another Blow to the EU Economy

Snapshots

United Kingdom

Passengers from London arrive at a Eurostar terminal in Paris on Dec. 16, 2021, before France imposed new travel restrictions to and from the United Kingdom in response to the omicron variant of COVID-19. 

Environment, Science & Technology

Tourism and hospitality sectors will again be hit hardest, as governments prioritize protecting manufacturing and supply chains over business and leisure travel.

In Europe, Omicron Fears Spur More Travel Bans and Lockdowns

COVID-19

Supply Chains

EU Economy Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni addresses the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on Oct. 6, 2021. 

Looser fiscal rules could promote growth but raise debt levels, while tighter rules could spur unrest and political upheavals in Southern Europe.

The EU Gears Up for a Tense Debate on Fiscal Reforms

The national flags of the European Union’s 27 member states are seen in the European Council headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. 

COVID-19’s lingering economic impact and the absence of a bloc-wide banking union leave the EU at risk of a greater financial crisis. 

EU Banks Aren’t Out of the Woods Yet

Hungary

People wait to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at a community center in Latvia on March 30, 2021. 

Variations in infection rates, vaccine rollouts and public skepticism will impede the bloc from reaching its goal of inoculating 70% of adults by July.

In the Race to Herd Immunity, Can the EU Make Up for Lost Time?

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen discusses the bloc’s proposed Digital Green Certificate during a press conference on March 17, 2021. 

As long as infections remain high, Europe’s travel and hospitality sectors will continue to struggle regardless of the existence of a common health pass.

Desperate to Revive Tourism, the EU Proposes a Digital COVID-19 Certificate

Guidance

Campaign billboards featuring candidates from Germany’s Social Democratic Party (right) and Christian Democratic Union (left) are seen in Mainz, Germany, ahead of Rhineland-Palatinate state elections.

The outcome of two statewide votes next week will be key in gauging Germany's political landscape ahead of the Sept. 26 federal election. 

Regional Elections Will Offer a Glimpse Into Germany’s Political Future

Syringes are seen on a table at a COVID-19 vaccine distribution site in Senftenberg, Germany. 

Amid growing frustration with its slow inoculation campaign, Brussels will struggle to keep countries from buying China and Russia’s vaccines.

The EU’s Unified Vaccine Strategy Is Starting to Splinter 

United States

EU Economy Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni speaks during a press conference after a virtual meeting at the European Council in Brussels, Belgium, on Feb. 15, 2021. 

The measure will likely expose the special deals some EU countries offer corporations, and may also increase support for digital service taxes.

The EU Moves Ahead With a Corporate Tax Transparency Plan

Chinese and EU flags stand at the chancellery on Jan. 26, 2021, in Berlin, Germany. The two entities recently reached a comprehensive agreement on investment. 

Cyber

Military & Security

China in Transition

The EU will limit China’s access to strategic economic sectors and continue to confront Beijing over political, human rights and security issues. 

The Future of Chinese Investment in Europe 

Security

A large billboard alerts beachgoers of COVID-19 safety measures in Praia do Tamariz, a favorite spot for locals and tourists, on July 29, 2020, in Estoril, Portugal. 

Amid prolonged lockdowns and sluggish vaccine rollouts, travel-related companies in Europe will likely freeze hiring plans and require additional state support.

Europe’s Pandemic-Rattled Tourism Sector Braces for Another Tough Year

A sign advises people to follow COVID-19 restrictions on Jan. 5, 2021, in Falmouth, the United Kingdom. In a televised address on Jan. 4, U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the country was entering its third lockdown since the onset of the pandemic in early 2020. 

The U.K.'s newly announced restrictions and economic relief package offer a preview of similar moves governments in continental Europe will make in the coming days. 

The Fate of the Eurozone

SITUATION REPORTS

EU, Croatia: Zagreb Meets Criteria to Join Eurozone in 2023

EU: Inflation in Eurozone Reaches Record High in May

Poland: Parliament Approves Judicial Reforms to Unfreeze EU Funds

Poland: Warsaw's Compromise With EU Commission Will Unblock EU Funding

Europe: European Commission Issues New Guidance on Russian Natural Gas Payments

Finland: President, Prime Minister Support NATO Membership

Sweden: Governing Party to Announce Position on NATO Membership on May 15

EU: Negotiations on Stricter Controls for Subsidized Foreign Companies Begin

Forecasts

ANALYSES

SECTIONS

Explore

Subscribe

Help & Support

The Fate of the Eurozone

SITUATION REPORTS

EU, Croatia: Zagreb Meets Criteria to Join Eurozone in 2023

EU: Inflation in Eurozone Reaches Record High in May

Poland: Parliament Approves Judicial Reforms to Unfreeze EU Funds

Poland: Warsaw's Compromise With EU Commission Will Unblock EU Funding

Europe: ​​European Commission Issues New Guidance on Russian Natural Gas Payments

Finland: President, Prime Minister Support NATO Membership

Sweden: Governing Party to Announce Position on NATO Membership on May 15

EU: Negotiations on Stricter Controls for Subsidized Foreign Companies Begin

Forecasts

ANALYSES

SECTIONS

Explore

Subscribe

Help & Support

Europe: European Commission Issues New Guidance on Russian Natural Gas Payments