Zsolt Darvas

Zsolt Darvas, a senior fellow at Bruegel specializing in public debt, and Jennifer D. Sciubba, President of the Population Reference Bureau, tackle the pressing issue of demographic changes and their impact on public finances. They discuss how an aging population is straining pension and healthcare budgets, requiring urgent policy adjustments. The conversation includes challenges in standardizing retirement ages across Europe and strategies from countries like Japan and South Korea to adapt to an older workforce, highlighting the need for innovative solutions.

Zsolt Darvas, a Senior Fellow at Bruegel specializing in EU budget reform, and Jacob Funk Kirkegaard, an expert on European public goods and defense spending, delve into the complexities of the European Commission's budget plan. They discuss the implications of shifting funds towards defense and research while questioning the effectiveness of current agricultural subsidies. The conversation explores how Europe can collectively address pressing issues like support for Ukraine and the challenges of financing public goods, emphasizing the importance of national contributions and the concept of 'own resources.'

Johan Van Overtveldt, a Belgian politician and chairman of the European Parliament's Budget Committee, joins Zsolt Darvas, a Bruegel senior fellow focused on EU budget reform. They dive into the contentious negotiations over the EU's €2 trillion budget, especially regarding financing for agriculture and support for Ukraine. Johan highlights the challenges posed by member-state divisions, while Zsolt advocates for prioritizing European public goods. The discussion also touches on innovative funding ideas like using frozen Russian assets and the complexities of agricultural reform in a politically charged environment.