Western Europe
The new EU fiscal rules will restrict budget policy
The failure of several members to markedly improve their public finances after COVID-19 has led to tighter fiscal rules
EUWeak euro-area bank lending will persist into 2025
The ECB’s latest bank lending survey shows little sign of a marked pick-up in economic activity
EUSouthern services CPI is a risk to steady ECB cuts
Inflation slowed to 2.4% in March and core prices to below 3% but services CPI remains a risk, especially in the South
EUEuro-area seems set for a long but shallow downturn
Bank lending to corporates in the euro-area fell for the first time since early 2015 while household lending also slowed
InternationalTunisian-European relations could reach a crossroads
The president’s rejection of a European aid allocation raises tensions further
TunisiaECB priority is taming prices even as activity slows
The ECB remains hawkish on interest rates even as German consumer confidence is worsening
Western EuropeEU space weapon test ban will help set global norm
The EU member states have committed not to carry out destructive anti-satellite missile tests
EU
