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Peter Bofinger

Peter Bofinger is professor of economics at Würzburg University and a former member of the German Council of Economic Experts.

Return to positive interest rates requires a safety net

Peter Bofinger

Peter Bofinger explains how inflation in the eurozone can be tempered without jeopardising recovery.

Taking the heat out of energy prices

Peter Bofinger

Instead of higher interest rates, Peter Bofinger urges lower VAT on energy and temporary suspension of the CO2 trading system.  

The ECB needs a better narrative

Peter Bofinger

Giving the public impression that inflation is ‘too low’, Peter Bofinger writes, is not a good look for the bank.

Germany’s traffic-light coalition: green light or stuck on amber?

Peter Bofinger

Peter Bofinger recognises the compromises necessary for a three-party government but regrets the lack of vision to face a decade of huge challenges.

ECB strategy review: the mountain has given birth to a mouse

Peter Bofinger

Peter Bofinger argues that the ECB strategy review represents a missed opportunity.

It’s time to rewrite the macro­economic rulebook for the euro area

Peter Bofinger

Peter Bofinger contends that the economic impact of the pandemic has rendered obsolete the old eurozone fiscal rules.

How to stimulate the economy after the lockdown

Peter Bofinger

A ‘helicopter money’ stimulus of direct payments to individuals, as in the US, would be neither well targeted nor transformatory in Europe.

Bitcoin lacks a unique selling proposition

Peter Bofinger

Peter Bofinger identifies the cryptocurrency’s Achilles heel.

Easing the EU fiscal straitjacket

Peter Bofinger

Without major reform of the EU fiscal framework, Peter Bofinger argues, public investment will be insufficient in the wake of the pandemic.

Joe Biden should not miss the Bretton Woods moment

Peter Bofinger

Peter Bofinger argues the incoming president must abjure the mercantilist language of his predecessor in favour of a progressive response to globalisation.

The ‘bazooka’: Modern Monetary Theory in action

Peter Bofinger

Peter Bofinger argues that large-scale injections of money to bring economies out of the coronavirus coma have vindicated Modern Monetary Theory.

Minimum wage: a success story with scope for improvement

Peter Bofinger

Peter Bofinger argues that regionally-differentiated minimum wages should be considered for the post-coronavirus period.

The Covid-19 crisis: inflationary or deflationary?

Peter Bofinger

Peter Bofinger warns especially German inflation-phobes that deflation is a greater downside risk in the aftermath of the pandemic.

The ‘frugal four’ should save the European project

Peter Bofinger

Peter Bofinger argues that additional loans of inadequate amount do not add up to a rescue package which can save Europe from the coronavirus crisis.

Coronavirus crisis: now is the hour of Modern Monetary Theory

Peter Bofinger

Peter Bofinger argues MMT provides intellectual justification for a ‘whatever it takes’ fiscal response to potentially the biggest global postwar economic challenge

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S&D Group in the European Parliament advertisement

Cohesion Policy

S&D Position Paper on Cohesion Policy post-2027: a resilient future for European territorial equity

Cohesion Policy seeks to foster balanced development and reduce economic, social, and territorial disparities, focusing on rural areas, regions in industrial transition, and those with severe or permanent natural or demographic disadvantages, including outermost, sparsely populated, island, cross-border, and mountain regions.

READ THE PAPER HERE

S&D Group in the European Parliament advertisement

Health

🇪🇺 Building a Resilient, Equitable EU Health Union: The S&D Blueprint


From securing pharmaceutical autonomy and guaranteeing universal access to care (the European Health Guarantee) to combatting non-communicable diseases and closing the Gender Health Gap. Read the S&D Group in the European Parliament Position Paper demanding that health becomes a priority across all EU policies.

READ THE POSITION PAPER

ETUI advertisement

HESA Magazine Cover

European productivity: the real constraint is not debt, but investment

The EU’s Debt Sustainability Analysis (DSA) has become a central tool for shaping national budgets under the new economic governance framework. According to a new ETUI paper, it is also systematically undervaluing the economic benefits of public investment—at the expense of productivity and long-term growth. “Rethinking the role of public investment does not mean abandoning fiscal discipline. It means recognising that certain investments strengthen long-term debt sustainability by generating higher growth and stronger public revenues,” explains Christos Pierros, the author.

READ HERE

Eurofound advertisement

Mental Health
Eurofound Talks: Europe's productivity paradox

This episode of the Eurofound Talks podcast looks at why Europe has experienced a more profound slowdown in growth compared to other developed regions, and why greater labour input and higher human capital has not translated into higher output per worker. Mary McCaughey and John Hurley also discuss whether Europe can, and should, look to compete with countries such as the United States and China in the race to harness artificial intelligence.
LISTEN HERE

Foundation for European Progressive Studies Advertisement

Progressive Post Issues

The Autumn-Winter issue of The Progressive Post is out!”

Among this issue’s highlights, we debate war and defence, underlining the urgent necessity of peace. We look at the European Commission's budget proposal, particularly the fate of the cohesion funds, and at the EU's international partnerships and ask whether the EU can pursue its strategic interests while simultaneously promoting its partners' genuine development. Finally, we address COP30 and the issue of fossil fuels, which was intentionally ignored during the negotiations held in Brazil.

READ NOW

Hans Böckler Stiftung Advertisement

WSI Report

WSI Minimum Wage Report 2025

The trend towards significant nominal minimum wage increases is continuing this year. In view of falling inflation rates, this translates into a sizeable increase in purchasing power for minimum wage earners in most European countries. Most EU countries are now following the reference values for adequate minimum wages enshrined in the European Minimum Wage Directive, which are 60% of the median wage or 50% of the average wage.

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