Fiscal policy • Table.Briefings

Chinese money - 100 Yuan - business background

March 5th, 2026

Finance: Public budget climbs to record high

Beijing wants to stimulate the economy with a “proactive fiscal policy.” The 15th Five-Year Plan relies on a range of instruments. The public budget is climbing to a record high.

By Marcel Grzanna

News | Industrial policy

February 25th, 2026

MFF: Bertelsmann study warns against weakening the Competitiveness Fund

The European Competitiveness Fund is under pressure from many sides in the MFF negotiations. A new study argues that the ECF must not lose its strategic focus. It also cautions that financial instruments should be used with restraint.

By János Allenbach-Ammann

Talk of the Town | MFR

February 3rd, 2026

MFF: France pushes to anchor European preference criteria

Disagreements among member states over “Buy European” clauses in the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) are deepening, as French demands exacerbate the divide between countries with and without a strong industrial base.

By János Allenbach-Ammann

Talk of the Town | Ukraine

January 15th, 2026

Ukraine finance: European Commission proposals for exceptions to the ‘buy European’ criteria

Around EUR 60 billion of the total EUR 90 billion in financial aid to Ukraine will be used for military expenditure. The majority of funds will be used to purchase European-made products, but exceptions will be allowed.

By János Allenbach-Ammann

News | MFR

January 14th, 2026

MFF: Business Europe calls for more research funding

In a position paper, the European business umbrella organization calls on the negotiators of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) to defend the Competitiveness Fund and increase funding for research.

By János Allenbach-Ammann

Feature | Ukraine

December 4th, 2025

Commission still unable to win over Belgium on its funding proposal for Ukraine

The EU Commission has presented its legislative proposals for financing Ukraine. In them, it has complemented its preferred option of a reparations loan using frozen Russian assets with additional guarantees and a new legal basis. However, Belgium remains opposed.

By János Allenbach-Ammann and Stephan Israel

Talk of the Town | Fiscal policy

November 26th, 2025

Budget: Germany faces deficit proceedings in 2026

Having narrowly avoided one this year, the eurozone’s largest economy faces deficit proceedings in 2026: In the spring, Valdis Dombrovskis wants to know whether Germany’s deficit above the three percent limit can be fully explained by higher defense spending.

By János Allenbach-Ammann

Talk of the Town | MFR

November 18th, 2025

MFF: Dispute over autonomy of agricultural policy enters next round in Council

In the General Affairs Council on Monday, member states with significant agricultural interests took up demands by the EU Parliament to reinforce the CAP budget in the MFF. The Danish Council Presidency wants to make progress by December.

By János Allenbach-Ammann and Julia Dahm

Roberta Metsola und Ursula von der Leyen

Talk of the Town | EU budget

November 11th, 2025

MFF: Commission proposals divide Parliament

The EPP is satisfied with the Commission’s ideas, while the Social Democrats dismiss them as “cosmetic changes”. A joint parliamentary resolution against the Commission’s MFF proposal is off the table for the time being.

By János Allenbach-Ammann

Ursula von der Leyen und Roberta Metsola im Gespräch

News | EU budget

November 7th, 2025

MFR: Crisis meeting between von der Leyen and Metsola scheduled for Monday

On Monday, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Parliament President Roberta Metsola and the Danish Council Presidency will meet in order to avoid an escalation of the conflict over the EU's multiannual financial framework.

By János Allenbach-Ammann and Julia Dahm