Commentary
Bruegel's shorter research output including First glance pieces, external opinion pieces and testimonies.
Recent commentary
Fast and furious: how digital bank runs challenge the banking-crisis rulebook
The speed of recent bank failures has shown the need for more systemic protection of the financial system.
The unbecoming rivalry at the heart of the EU
A battle of egos between Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel is putting the EU’s post-pandemic solidarity at risk.
Banking turbulence is not a reason to pause monetary tightening
Despite calls for interest rate hikes to be paused, both the ECB and Federal raised rates- which was the right decision.
Comment
31 May 2022
Three headaches for the European Central Bank
Once again, the limits of EMU architecture are visible and will require a rethink.
Comment
30 May 2022
Ukraine needs external financial assistance now
Planning Ukraine’s reconstruction tomorrow is important but meeting its financial needs today is more pressing and requires urgent action.
Comment
17 May 2022
Buy now, pay later: the age of digital credit
A relatively new fintech market, BNPL is currently not regulated in the EU, meaning that consumers do not have the same protection level as they do fo
Comment
09 May 2022
For Europe, an oil embargo is not the way to go
Even at this late hour, the European Union should consider taking a different path.
Comment
02 May 2022
A tariff on imports of fossil fuel from Russia
A tariff on imports of Russian fossil fuels would allow Europe to hit Russia's energy sector without great suffering.
Comment
02 May 2022
A phase out of Russian oil may be less effective than a tariff at reducing Putin’s rents
A punitive tariff on all energy imports from Russia would be a better choice than a gradually phased-in embargo on selected fuels.
Comment
29 April 2022
EU risks letting Putin’s gas divide-and-rule strategy win
The 2 May meeting of EU energy ministers should deliver strong and common EU action. Failing to do so would undermine Europe’s unity, energy security
Comment
29 April 2022
Europe must get serious about cutting oil and gas use
As energy security risks increase, European governments must stop subsidising oil and gas, and ask people to consume less.
Comment
26 April 2022
Repurposing the peace dividend
The war in Ukraine has brought an end to a 60-year period in which Europe has enjoyed a peace dividend, an amount released by reducing defence expendi
Comment
26 April 2022
China’s Covid policy to be year’s largest economic shock
Beijing’s ‘dynamic zero-Covid’ policy could devastate the domestic economy, but the effects will also be felt globally.
Comment
11 April 2022
Cutting Putin’s energy rent: ‘smart sanctioning’ Russian oil and gas
Three ways Europe could limit Russian oil and gas revenues.
Comment
05 April 2022
The EU without Russian oil and gas
The EU and the West need to acknowledge and accept the fact that European liberal democracy is being defended in Ukraine – a clearer message to Putin
Comment
05 April 2022
War on Ukraine: the day after
The international community will have to restart the long process of de-escalation in order to preserve peace. We have a long climb ahead.
Comment
01 April 2022
Early Warning Brief: China’s contorted response to Russia sanctions
The spectre of a democratic Russia aligned with the West is probably a more serious concern for Beijing than what it risks losing by supporting Russia
Comment
25 March 2022
Rallying Chinese markets will not be a quick fix for Beijing
Top official makes rare intervention to reassure investors but progress to resolve problems will be difficult.
Comment
16 March 2022
China can see the limits of bailing out Russia's economy
Beijing will support Moscow as long as it does not fall foul of Western sanctions.