Single market strengthened; eurobonds divide
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European leaders agreed at an informal summit in Alden Biesen, Belgium, to bolster the single market and strengthen competitiveness, but they remained divided over issuing Eurobonds.
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…und abgestimmtes europäisches Handeln.
Daher: Uneinheitliche Regeln im EU-Binnenmarkt abschaffen · Podcast in der ARD Audiothek:
www.ardaudiothek.de/episode/urn:...
Daher: Uneinheitliche Regeln im EU-Binnenmarkt abschaffen · Podcast in der ARD Audiothek:
www.ardaudiothek.de/episode/urn:...
Podcast: Schnitzer: Uneinheitliche Regeln im EU-Binnenmarkt abschaffen
Bei einem informellen Gipfel beraten die Staats- und Regierungschefs der EU-Mitgliedsländer über die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit. Die Wirtschaftsweise Monika Schnitzer sagt, der Handel innerhalb der EU müsse...
www.ardaudiothek.de
February 13, 2026 at 8:45 AM
…und abgestimmtes europäisches Handeln.
Daher: Uneinheitliche Regeln im EU-Binnenmarkt abschaffen · Podcast in der ARD Audiothek:
www.ardaudiothek.de/episode/urn:...
Daher: Uneinheitliche Regeln im EU-Binnenmarkt abschaffen · Podcast in der ARD Audiothek:
www.ardaudiothek.de/episode/urn:...
Thus, to me, 2016 to 2024 was the exception, when the EU prized unity above everything. The shift towards more willingness to go ahead has been brewing for a while, and now the focus on multiple speed Europe is back, rather than new.
February 13, 2026 at 8:36 AM
Thus, to me, 2016 to 2024 was the exception, when the EU prized unity above everything. The shift towards more willingness to go ahead has been brewing for a while, and now the focus on multiple speed Europe is back, rather than new.
Merz, on the other hand, has an impatience for EU process and has also been influenced by the Schäuble Lamers Paper for Core Europe (from the 1990s!). Merz has thus shifted Germany towards coalitions in and outside the EU, with far more openess towards multiple speed Europe.
February 13, 2026 at 8:36 AM
Merz, on the other hand, has an impatience for EU process and has also been influenced by the Schäuble Lamers Paper for Core Europe (from the 1990s!). Merz has thus shifted Germany towards coalitions in and outside the EU, with far more openess towards multiple speed Europe.
The last big shift happened in 2016 - with Brexit. One of Merkel's conclusions back then was that pushing the Brits to the margins during the Eurozone crisis had been a mistake, and that the main aim should be to integrate all 27 EU countries together. Since then Germany pushed the unity mantra.
February 13, 2026 at 8:36 AM
The last big shift happened in 2016 - with Brexit. One of Merkel's conclusions back then was that pushing the Brits to the margins during the Eurozone crisis had been a mistake, and that the main aim should be to integrate all 27 EU countries together. Since then Germany pushed the unity mantra.
Looking back just a bit longer, the height of 'multiple speed Europe' was between 2010-2015 during the Eurozone crisis, when much of the Euro-related instruments were developed around the Euro countries, e.g. ESM, Fiscal Compact, Euro Plus Pact etc.
France in particular has long pushed the idea.
France in particular has long pushed the idea.
February 13, 2026 at 8:36 AM
Looking back just a bit longer, the height of 'multiple speed Europe' was between 2010-2015 during the Eurozone crisis, when much of the Euro-related instruments were developed around the Euro countries, e.g. ESM, Fiscal Compact, Euro Plus Pact etc.
France in particular has long pushed the idea.
France in particular has long pushed the idea.
This framing of 'the EU has never done multiple speed Europe' seems like a product of way too short institutional memory.
Since the 1980s, major EU integration often happened in avantgarde groups, be it the Euro, Schengen, EU Patent, EU Public Prosecutor. The real change is a different one.
Since the 1980s, major EU integration often happened in avantgarde groups, be it the Euro, Schengen, EU Patent, EU Public Prosecutor. The real change is a different one.
The EU has always prided itself on its members all moving forward as one. That era is over.
After years of resistance, leaders finally say EU should go at different speeds
Summit in Belgian castle sees governments acknowledge Europe urgently needs to change the way it functions if it’s not going to be left behind.
www.politico.eu
February 13, 2026 at 8:36 AM
This framing of 'the EU has never done multiple speed Europe' seems like a product of way too short institutional memory.
Since the 1980s, major EU integration often happened in avantgarde groups, be it the Euro, Schengen, EU Patent, EU Public Prosecutor. The real change is a different one.
Since the 1980s, major EU integration often happened in avantgarde groups, be it the Euro, Schengen, EU Patent, EU Public Prosecutor. The real change is a different one.
by Andrew Watt
My take on the meeting of EU leaders: a missed opportunity to launch an investment-led recovery
open.substack.com/pub/andrewwa...
If you want analysis of European economic and employment issues in your inbox - roughly weekly, I hope! - you can sign up for a free substack subscription.
open.substack.com/pub/andrewwa...
If you want analysis of European economic and employment issues in your inbox - roughly weekly, I hope! - you can sign up for a free substack subscription.
Belgian castles in the air
A missed opportunity for competitiveness through investment
open.substack.com
February 13, 2026 at 8:26 AM
My take on the meeting of EU leaders: a missed opportunity to launch an investment-led recovery
open.substack.com/pub/andrewwa...
If you want analysis of European economic and employment issues in your inbox - roughly weekly, I hope! - you can sign up for a free substack subscription.
open.substack.com/pub/andrewwa...
If you want analysis of European economic and employment issues in your inbox - roughly weekly, I hope! - you can sign up for a free substack subscription.
4/7
It can cut wages and social welfare benefits sharply to reduce EU wages relative to EU productivity. This will increase the competitiveness of the EU manufacturing sector, but it will do so not only at the expense of EU workers but also of global growth.
It can cut wages and social welfare benefits sharply to reduce EU wages relative to EU productivity. This will increase the competitiveness of the EU manufacturing sector, but it will do so not only at the expense of EU workers but also of global growth.
February 13, 2026 at 8:18 AM
4/7
It can cut wages and social welfare benefits sharply to reduce EU wages relative to EU productivity. This will increase the competitiveness of the EU manufacturing sector, but it will do so not only at the expense of EU workers but also of global growth.
It can cut wages and social welfare benefits sharply to reduce EU wages relative to EU productivity. This will increase the competitiveness of the EU manufacturing sector, but it will do so not only at the expense of EU workers but also of global growth.
3/7
Global competitiveness, by contrast, depends largely on how income is distributed within an economy.
This leaves the EU with two options if it wants to prevent domestic deindustrialization.
Global competitiveness, by contrast, depends largely on how income is distributed within an economy.
This leaves the EU with two options if it wants to prevent domestic deindustrialization.
February 13, 2026 at 8:18 AM
3/7
Global competitiveness, by contrast, depends largely on how income is distributed within an economy.
This leaves the EU with two options if it wants to prevent domestic deindustrialization.
Global competitiveness, by contrast, depends largely on how income is distributed within an economy.
This leaves the EU with two options if it wants to prevent domestic deindustrialization.