Economy

European banks are still major backers of the fossil fuel industry 

Monday 25 January 2021 | Gianluca De Feo
| OBC Transeuropa

As public institutions struggle to implement their plans effectively, private banks are still not pulling their weight. With the slowness and mounting obstacles facing public finances, combined with the unreliability of the private system, how secure is the future of energy transition?

Covid vaccines: The patent taboo in Europe 

Monday 22 March 2021 | Stefano Valentino
| Voxeurop

The EU’s vaccine distribution delays could be solved through voluntary collaborations established by pharmaceutical giants. However, civil society and several EU countries are calling for the liberalization of patents, to be able to independently produce doses and ensure vaccine coverage for the largest possible number of people. The second part of Stefano Valentino’s report on the monopolistic practices of pharmaceutical companies.

American Rescue Plan: Europe is falling behind, as in the case in 2008 

Tuesday 06 April 2021 | Aude Martin
| Alternatives Economiques

The United States are spending more money and more rapidly to support their economy than the Europeans are doing. And even if Biden's relief plan will result in higher imports, it is not the eurozone that will benefit the most from it.

Is Amazon destroying more jobs than it creates? 

Wednesday 07 April 2021 | Justin Delépine
| Alternatives Economiques

A study has revealed the negative impact of e-commerce on employment, counting the number of jobs created and destroyed.

man staring at a large shop

How VAT hinders effective redistribution of wealth 

Thursday 29 April 2021 | Justin Delépine
| Alternatives Economiques

VAT is a regressive tax, putting more burden to the poor than to the rich. Indeed, VAT applies the same rate to everyone regardless of their level of wealth – but the richer you are, the lower the proportion of your revenue goes to consumption. VAT cancels out one-third of the effects of fiscal redistribution.

The hidden agenda behind the Recovery and Resilience Facility 

Thursday 29 April 2021 | Nikos Morfonios
| MIIR

Member countries will be continuously assessed for meeting targets and reforms in order to receive their share of the recovery fund. If European governments do not comply with the agreed recovery plan, the purse strings will be tightened.

The gender pay gap could close in 257 years  

Tuesday 02 March 2021 | Laszlo Arato
| EUrologus

The opportunity gap for men and women is closing in many areas, but women are still losing out in the economy. In almost all countries men earn significantly more than women, they dominate companies’ boards of directors and politics. And, according to preliminary surveys, women are becoming even more disadvantaged as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

How Croatia plans to spend €22 billion in EU funds 

Wednesday 16 December 2020 | Toni Gabrić
| H-Alter

Croatia is expected to receive a good wealth of EU funds in the coming years. However, the strategic priorities doesn't appear very bold and clear, and the plan for the use of the Recovery Fund is not ready yet.

Remote working: a revolution in need of rules 

Tuesday 15 December 2020 | Vincent Grimault
| Alternatives Economiques

Telework has mainly been a revolution by accident, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people have now discovered its upside and potential, but also its risks and limits. However, bad working conditions linked to nomadic or at-home work are not inevitable.

If Brussels wants to reduce fertilisers and pesticides 

Tuesday 27 April 2021 | Cédric Vallet
| Alternatives Economiques

With its "farm to table" strategy, the European Commission aims to reduce the use of pesticides and fertilisers and at the same time increase organic production by 2030. But how?