The Sound of Economics

Bruegel director Guntram Wolff frames the two debates that will dominate the upcoming meeting of the European Council on 23 February 2018 – the shape of the next EU budget, and the method by which a new European Commission president will be appointed.Major questions still hang over the next EU budget, or multiannual financial framework (MFF), and not just because of Brexit.The next budget, another seven-year MFF that will run from 2021 through to 2027, will likely reflect Europe’s developing priorities in sectors such as defence, border control and fighting climate change. Other sectors may face a cut in spending, particularly given the shortfall left as a result of the UK’s departure.Elsewhere, the European Council and European Parliament have still to reach agreement over the future of the Spitzenkandidaten process, by which the appointment of current European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker was decided in 2014.These topics are lead items on the agenda for the European Council meeting on February 23. Bruegel director Guntram Wolff features in this episode of ‘The Sound of Economics’, highlighting the key considerations and likely deciding factors in the debates still to be had.

Bruegel fellow Georg Zachmann joins Richard Tol, professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Sussex, and Pieter-Willem Lemmens, head of analysis at the climate policy think-tank Sandbag, for this episode of 'The Sound of Economics', to discuss the impact of Brexit on climate and energy policy in the European UnionBritain's departure from the European Union poses questions not only for the EU energy market, but the bloc-wide climate-change targets and emissions trading system.Presented by Sean Gibson, edited by Giuseppe PorcaroIn the energy context, Brexit not only marks the separation of Britain from the EU but also places Ireland in a uniquely difficult position, having previously utilised infrastructure in Britain to connect to the rest of the EU.On the matter of climate change, the loss of Britain might make it more difficult for Europe to meet current targets, and set further ambitious goals for the future.In this episode of 'The Sound of Economics', senior Bruegel fellow Georg Zachmann joins the conversation with Richard Tol, professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Sussex, and Pieter-Willem Lemmens, head of analysis at the climate policy think-tank Sandbag.Georg Zachmann co-authored a research paper in November 2017 for the European Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, about the impact of Brexit on the Irish energy system - also writing a Bruegel blog post on the same topic. More recently Georg has written an opinion piece on how climate-change policies risk increasing social inequality.

The final document on the German coalition agreement will have significant consequences for the European Union and the Eurozone. Bruegel director Guntram Wolff gives his assessment of the agreement's key features in this episode of 'The Sound of Economics'The negotiations to form the next German government have been a significant factor in European affairs for months now. With an agreement finally struck, this episode of 'The Sound of Economics' sees Bruegel director Guntram Wolff analyse the document of the agreement and what it means for the EU.In short, there is a lot of continuity: the Bundestag remains in charge of the European Stability Mechanism, and the EU's fiscal rules are praised; there will be money for the EU budget, too. More significant is the will to move towards a common tax base and minimum tax rate for corporate taxation. Overall, this is not a breakthrough for Europe.Further reading:What has driven the votes for Germany’s right-wing Alternative für Deutschland? - by Alexander Roth and Guntram B. WolffSPEAKER:Guntram B. Wolff, Director, Bruegel.PRODUCTION:Sean Gibson & Giuseppe Porcaro

Brexit has afforded the European Parliament with the opportunity to reform - but will the current proposals for reallocating the UK's 73 seats after 2019 fully realise that opportunity?In the latest chapter of 'The Sound of Economics', Bruegel director Guntram Wolff highlights the potential political ramifications of seat reallocation, and the difficulties inherent in making the Parliament more representative while staying within the bounds of previous agreements.Read more on the topic on Bruegel websiteSPEAKERGuntram B. Wolff, Director, BruegelPRODUCTIONSean Gibson & Giuseppe Porcaro

SUMMARY:  Manufacturing in its 21st century guise is markedly different from its traditional portrayal. Innovations are not only improving the efficiency of production processes but are also allowing for the establishment of more complex supply chains, with smarter communications systems and big-data management systems driven by an increasing digitalisation.Companies in a variety of sectors in Europe are having to adapt quickly to keep pace with the change. In this episode of the Sound of Economics, Simone Tagliapietra discusses how the established energy companies are ensuring they stay relevant in this new age; J. Scott Marcus elaborates on the opportunities thus far missed in Europe to make e-commerce work better for everyone; and Reinhilde Veugelers looks at what Europe needs to do to maintain a global presence as new manufacturing takes hold, and what lessons might be learnt from elsewhere.Each of these three scholars has contributed significant research to the Bruegel Blueprint publication 'Remaking Europe: the new manufacturing as an engine for growth', which explores the topic of new manufacturing in Europe across many sectors.SPEAKERSJ. Scott Marcus, Senior Fellow, BruegelSimone Tagliapietra, Research Fellow, BrugelReinhilde Veugelers, Senior Fellow, BruegelPRODUCTIONSean Gibson & Giuseppe Porcaro

The issue of member-state integration in two or more speeds is one of the recurring questions in the debate about the European project. While previously this was a subject for academic circles, it has now moved into policy circles. Is this the future of Europe? Would the idea of proceeding in two or more speeds provoke a break-up of the EU? Is it an opportunity for each country to rethink and renew its commitments to the European project? In this episode of the Sound of Economics, Bruegel's deputy director, Maria Demertzis, asks some of these questions to Sandro Gozi, Italy's State Secretary for European Affairs.#Multispeed #Europe #FutureOfEurope #EU

Senior Bruegel fellow Zsolt Darvas discusses the impact and integration of migrants in the European Union, based on a new research paper he has co-authored with Uuriintuya Batsaikhan and Inês Gonçalves Raposo.Joining him on 'The Sound of Economics' is Manu Bhardwaj, vice president for research and insights at the Mastercard Centre for Inclusive Growth, while Sean Gibson takes the reins of his first podcast as the new Bruegel press officer.Zsolt Darvas has written several blogs ahead of the release of the research paper, the issues of which are discussed in this episode:How the EU has become an immigration area by Zsolt DarvasSupport for intra-EU mobility of people is on the rise by Zsolt DarvasThe challenge of fostering financial inclusion of refugees by Zsolt DarvasIn addition, watch Bruegel's event on the same topic: Better policies for people on the moveSPEAKERS Manu Bhardwaj, Vice President for Research and Insights, Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, & Zsolt Darvas, Senior Fellow, BruegelPRODUCTION Sean Gibson & Giuseppe Porcaro

Bruegel senior scholar Nicolas Véron speaks with Steven Maijoor, the chair of ESMA, about the future of the Capital Markets Union (CMU), and of the EU's financial supervisory architecture. Currently, the organisation of the European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) is based on a sectoral approach with one ESA for each sector: separate authorities for banking, insurance, and securities and markets. Maijoor's institution, ESMA, is an independent EU Authority that contributes to safeguarding the stability of the European Union's financial system by enhancing the protection of investors and promoting stable and orderly financial markets. What does he think about the future of CMU, and the regulatory changes that might entail?

Bruegel scholar Dirk Schoenmaker speaks with James Murray, London’s Deputy Mayor with responsibility for housing. They talk about the challenges London is facing in guaranteeing fair access to reasonably-priced housing. What is the right balance between rental and owned accommodation? And how much can local government influence the housing market in our most desirable cities? SPEAKERS Dirk Schoenmaker, Senior Scholar, Bruegel James Murray, Deputy Mayor of London for Housing and Residential Development PRODUCTION Giuseppe Porcaro Bryn Watkins

Bruegel’s Alicia García-Herrero and Robin Niblett of Chatham House discuss a new joint report on EU-China relations. How easy was it to find common ground with Chinese partners? And what should be the priorities for economic cooperation between Europe and China?In this episode of The Sound of Economics, we host a conversation between Alicia García-Herrero and Robin Niblett. Our guests talk about a new joint report, EU–China Economic Relations to 2025, produced by four leading institutes in Europe and China.They discuss the process of finding common ground between the authors, and draw out some of the most interesting findings. It turns out that the most obvious sphere for EU-China economic cooperation, trade and investment, might be the most difficult. So what could be the next step for Europe and China?SPEAKERS Alicia García-Herrero, Senior Scholar, Bruegel Robin Niblett, Director, Chatham House CREDITS Presented and produced by Bryn Watkins#EU #China #Cooperation #economics