Competition

Commission infighting holds back plans to boost maritime transport

Thursday, 8 January 2009

Transport commissioner wants to loosen tax rules; tax department wants clearer definitions.

Chipmakers under investigation

Wednesday, 7 January 2009

EU executive believes makers of smart chips may be acting as a cartel.

Commission approves British Energy takeover

Monday, 22 December 2008

EU executive gives the green light to EdF's acquisition of British Energy; both companies agree to sell assets.

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Regulation

Four EU states open doors to Bulgarian, Romanian workers

Thursday, 8 January 2009

Denmark to follow suit in May; restrictions lifted in more than half of EU countries.

MEPs to back 'passport' for investment funds

Thursday, 8 January 2009

Revision makes cross-border investment easier; directive offers significant savings for funds.

Czechs hope to finalise working-time rules before the European elections

Thursday, 8 January 2009

National positions will be reviewed next week; Czechs hope conciliation process will be completed by the end of May.

State aid

Unity is vital for tackling recession

Thursday, 8 January 2009

EU member states must withstand protectionist pressures and present a united vision of how to tackle the global recession.

Barroso: recovery package may change

Thursday, 8 January 2009

Commission president suggests economy may need more stimulating as Germany prepares to prime its pumps.

Copying the Fed is not the way for the ECB

Thursday, 8 January 2009

Central banks within the euro system should, though, have a greater role in supervising banks.

Financial services

The trust gap

Friday, 9 January 2009

Banks do not trust migrants and, often, the feeling is mutual. European society needs the gap to be bridged.

MEPs back increased bank-deposit guarantees

Thursday, 18 December 2008

Guarantee level should rise to €100,000 in 2010, a fivefold increase.

McCreevy 'is acting like a paid lobbyist'

Thursday, 18 December 2008

Socialists attack commissioner's wish to exempt hedge funds and private equity firms from regulation.

Consumer services

Slovakia facing fines over postal services

Wednesday, 17 December 2008

European Commission accuses Slovakia of intolerable inaction in ending monopoly on hybrid-mail services.

Member states seek to dilute cross-border healthcare law

Thursday, 4 December 2008

France suggests patients should gain prior authorisation before getting treatment abroad.

Commission paper wants to open up food market

Friday, 28 November 2008

EU executive is set to call for competition to be the centrepiece of efforts to curb rises in the price of food.

Industry

Parliament set to approve tougher laws on pesticides

Thursday, 8 January 2009

Several substances tobe prohibited; gradual phase-out of fungicides and herbicides.

MEP wants eco-design standards for all goods

Thursday, 8 January 2009

Commission proposal accepted by member states extends eco-design directive only to energy-related products.

Poison pills for golden geese

Friday, 19 December 2008

Drug companies are producing fewer drugs – and for that heavy taxes and regulation must take some of the blame.

Labour

Europe needs higher fertility rates

Thursday, 8 January 2009

More family-friendly policies are required if Europe is to avoid a sharp population fall.

Parliament votes for 48-hour week

Thursday, 18 December 2008

European assembly set for clash with member states over opt-outs.

Commission reforms offer scant comfort for new jobless

Thursday, 18 December 2008

The globalisation fund needs to be more than PR.

Consumer protection

Kuneva's euphonious Bulgaria

Thursday, 8 January 2009

The craft of lutherie finds a champion.

Parliament backs stricter toy safety rules

Thursday, 18 December 2008

Rules will be tightened on everything from the metals used to noise levels.

Incumbents gear up for war on mobile call charges

Thursday, 18 December 2008

The Commission wants to cut operators' fees; incumbents argue that the plan is bad for users.