Balancing the technocrats

It is undemocratic that the ECB can set the eurozone-wide inflation target unilaterally.

Debt without drowning

A debt-mutualisation scheme for the eurozone must satisfy three crucial requirements.

EU clears path to deal on budget for 2014-20

Ministers agree to €7.3bn top-up request for 2013.

Austria and Luxembourg hold out against tougher tax rules

Commissioner frustrated at lack of progress.

Europe's irrelevant austerity debate

Distinguishing between foreign and domestic debt is crucial to understanding the role of austerity

Trading places

London position as a global financial centre is under threat

Hollande's sherpa

Deputy secretary-general at the Elysée, Emmanuel Macron

Eurozone remains in recession

Downturn now the longest on record as France's economy contracts again.

The paper clip

A round-up of the international press on Wednesday, 15 May.

Finance ministers fail to reach deal on tax avoidance

But they agree mandate for Commission to negotiate on bank transparency with five non-EU countries.

EU finance ministers approve budget top-up

Germany drops resistance to €7.3 billion in additional funding for 2013 budget.

The new sick man of Europe

Faith in the European Union is at an all-time low, and there are precious few signs of that changing.

Finance ministers remain cautious on Slovenia

Olli Rehn says Slovenian government has “no time to waste” in reforming economy.

Budget talks start

Long-delayed negotiations on the EU's budget for 2014-20 get underway in Brussels.

Schäuble says treaty change needed to support EU banking rules

EU bank resolution authority needs a 'sold legal base', says German finance minister.

The paper clip

A round-up of the international press on Friday, 10 May.

Two-stage approach ends stalemate on budget talks

Negotiations scheduled to start on Monday and Ireland seeking agreement by the end of June.

Slovenia's economic reform plans to be put to the test

Government urged to cut its budget deficit.

A share of the wealth

The European Union imposes greater levels of tax on its citizens and businesses than do most other areas of the world, writes Ian Wishart.

A fateful mistake

Continuing to discredit austerity could cause long-term damage to the case for fiscal responsibility

Doom and gloom in the eurozone

Causes for concern

Way forward agreed on budget talks

Breakthrough in three-way talks on long-term budget, but member states continue fighting over additional funds for 2013 budget.

Commission lowers economic forecast

France, Spain and the Netherlands expected to be given more time to reach deficit targets.

The paper clip

A round-up of the international press on Friday, 3 May.

ECB cuts interest rates to record low

Mario Draghi says that first rate cut since July will help eurozone to recover “later in the year”.