Europe
Western Balkans: A ‘Mini-Schengen’ Zone
Leaders of Albania, North Macedonia, and Serbia declared they would implement a mini-Schengen zone with free movement of goods, capital, services, & people
Population decline in Central and Eastern Europe
Data from the United Nations Population Prospects has reiterated previous fears of a longstanding shrinking in the population of eastern, south-eastern and central Europe.
EU-Mercosur FTA: Threats and Challenges
When the European Commission announced the signing of the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement, it sounded like a done deal. However, the provisional text must be ratified by all the parliaments of adhering countries, including the European Parliament and Council.
Italy: New coalition government takes charge
The far-left Five Star Movement and the centre-left Democratic Party formed a new coalition government to stave off the threat of a rapidly rising far-right. The new government is likely to boost market confidence and improve ties with the EU in the short run. However, the long-term viability of this partnership remains unclear.
ECB: Systemic problems and future headwinds
At the next European Central Bank policy meeting in September, it is expected to gently lower interest rates to ease the burden on a stagnant Eurozone economy.
Tariffs bite in North Kosovo, but how badly?
On 21st November 2018 Kosovo imposed 100% tariffs on goods from Serbia. On 1st July 2019, businesses in the Serb-dominated north Kosovo shut their doors and protested against the policy.
Kosovo PM resigns after Specialist Chambers summons
Kosovo’s Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj resigned on 19 July, after the Specialist Chambers called him for questioning. The Chambers deal with cases of war crimes, crimes against humanity and other crimes committed during and after the 1990s conflict in Kosovo.
Internet Giants and Big Firms: Geopolitical dividends on the horizon?
Political leaders have recently taken actions to curb Big Tech through tax reform, anti-competition investigations, and are considering breaking up potential monopolies.
The Truth about European Champions
If the EU wants to compete globally, it must shed its emphasis on competition rules and relax its stringent merger regulations to favour the rise of European corporate champions.
Italian fiscal policy: Anger in Brussels and Rome
On June 5th, the European Union began a process of opening Excessive Deficit Procedures (EDP) against Italy, which could culminate in a multi-billion Euro financial penalty.
