Europe
Digital euro will launch but perhaps later than 2027
Plans for the digital euro see a 2027 launch but the ECB still needs to win support from commercial banks and citizens
InternationalBelgium should survive surge of Flemish far right
The far-right party which wants to dissolve Belgium is leading in the polls ahead of June’s federal election
BelgiumEU farmer unrest looks set to persist
French farmers are determined to continue protests despite the government's decision to grant concessions
FrancePoland’s need for foreign workers will persist
Foreign workers’ unpopularity will be an enduring problem for Poland as demographic trends exacerbate labour shortages
PolandRussia will rely more on Chinese demand for gas
Russia has largely lost its 40-year hold on Europe's gas market, jeopardising its position as a leading gas exporter
RussiaNorth Macedonia vote may delay move to free EU impasse
Upcoming elections may revolve around the constitutional amendments Bulgaria requires for continuing EU accession talks
North MacedoniaDifferent demand pictures dominate the outlook for oil
Demand-side uncertainty offsets the risk to oil trade of Middle East instability amid strong non-OPEC oil supply growth
InternationalBan on Germany’s far right is unlikely
Public and political support for banning the far-right Alternative for Germany is growing
Germany
