It’s published
Brussels spoke! The European Commission has presented a long-term budget proposal and has launched strict negotiations on who will pay it. Rich countries like Germany and the Netherlands have already rejected the numbers game as being too ambitious.
But it’s not just politics – it’s about who wins and who loses in key areas like technology, agriculture, climate action and more. Who will finally get their way? And what are the benefits for ordinary citizens?
Questions to the panel
To say that the Commission’s proposal for the long-term budget cannot survive in its current form would be an understatement.
For Prime Minister Friedrich Merz, the EU must do more with the money it has. This sets up a clash with fellow German Christian Democrats Ursula von der Reyen, who believes the rising challenge will require a proper financial response, namely, more money.
Get ready to hurt a budget fight that could last for two years!
Another battle over money: This time, we make smoking more expensive in all forms. The EU Commission has announced new pushes to curb tobacco consumption through higher taxation.
At the same time, the World Health Organization is ringing the alarm bell. Chronic public health issues are getting out of hand. As a remedy, WHO is pushing the country to raise the prices of sugar-like drinks, alcohol and tobacco by 50% over the next decade through higher taxes.
According to the WHO, this will save millions of lives and raise $1.4 trillion worldwide.
This movement will help reduce consumption of products that contribute to diseases such as diabetes and cancer. The WHO is now becoming an ally of the European Commission who wants to modernize the EU’s tobacco tax directive. What about a powerful signal for public health, or another way to narrow down taxpayers? Can public health be improved through fiscal measures?
Finally, panelists are discussing the first fashion industry that operates at Eurpope, as ultra-stable online bargain hunting may be a bit less appealing, at least in France.
The Parisian government has hit the Chinese super-fast fashion giant scene against what regulators call “deceptive commercial practices.” This is a major escalation in the European scrutiny of fast fashion models.
The blow comes two months after the Commission was found guilty of engaging in illegal commercial practices under EU law, following a coordinated investigation with national consumer protection authorities.
And earlier this year, France has already presented new laws targeting Sheen and its Chinese rival Tem, imposing eco taxes, advertising bans and influencer restrictions.
Do these steps have an impact among consumers? Will they stop buying from those sites?
