Debate featuring EU political party representatives discussing economic issues, EU budget, growth, and single market. Podcast explores party views, potential outcomes of elections, and future EU economic policies. Focus on coalition dynamics, policy proposals, and voting considerations in upcoming European elections.
Candidates at the Bruegel debate emphasized EU economic challenges like competitiveness and budget constraints.
Rise of far-right parties in EU Parliament poses challenges for coalition formation post-election.
Debate on funding the EU budget focuses on debt increase, common debt issuance, and state aid rules.
Deep dives
Overview of the European Election Preview Event
The podcast episode features a preview of the upcoming European elections in June, with a focus on the recent Brugal debate where lead candidates for the Commission President position, such as Ursula von der Leyen, presented their views. The event highlighted the economic challenges that the candidates would face and touched upon key issues like European competitiveness, economic security, and the budget.
Discussion on Far-Right Parties and Potential Alliances
The episode delves into the rise of far-right parties in the European Parliament, particularly the ID group and their criticized stance on the Green Deal and joint debt. It mentions potential alliances and the impact of the far-right's presence on legislative processes, hinting at the challenges in forming coalitions post-election.
Financial Considerations and Budget Funding
The podcast explores the debate around funding the European budget, including discussions on debt increase and common debt issuance. It highlights the reluctance of some candidates to commit to specific funding methods, focusing on streamlining the existing budget and discussions on state aid rules and European champions.
External Context and Political Uncertainties
The episode discusses the broader global context, including conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, US elections, and the UK polls. It raises uncertainties around potential leadership changes and the complex negotiations that will follow the election results, emphasizing the role of national leaders in decision-making processes.
Importance of Voting and Party Choices
The podcast concludes with a reflection on the significance of voting and making informed choices in the European elections. It suggests using tools like the European University Institute test to understand party recommendations, and highlights the importance of staying informed through sources like the Financial Times for decision-making.
Bruegel and the Financial Times partnered up to host a debate featuring lead candidates from major EU political parties on EU economic issues, namely growth, the single market, economic security and the EU budget. The participants of the debate were:
Sandro Gozi, Renew Europe Now
Ursula von der Leyen, The European People's Party
Nicolas Schmit, the Party of European Socialists
Anders Vistisen, Identity and Democracy Party
In this episode of The Sound of Economics, Rebecca Christie sits down with Bruegel Senior fellow Maria Demertzis, FT Brussels bureau chief Henry Foy, also moderators of the debate, to unpack the views they gathered from the event, discuss how the elections are likely to turn out and what will happen afterwards.
Relevant events and publications: