Leaked reports indicate the European commissioner in charge of state aid, Joaquín Almunia, is set to recommend approving plans by the UK government to give public support for the construction of a new nuclear power plant at Hinkley (1). Commissioner Almunia was today questioned by Green MEPs on the reports on the Hinkley C state […]
Solvency II: Backroom deals in Bruxelles shall boost securitization on the back of customers and tax payers
Calibration of securitized loans Since several years member states negotiate the critical calibration of the new Solvency II framework for Europe’s insurance sector. During these negotiations over the implementing measures the risk weights for securitized products were lowered several times. The table shows the deterioration of the risk multiplier in the formula which determines the […]
Lord Jonathan Hill, Baron Hill of Oareford, mag Europäische Demokratie nicht
Lord Jonathan Hill wurde von Ihrer Majestät der Königin von England zum Lord auf Lebenszeit gemacht. Im House of Lords sprach er im Juni über die Auseinandersetzung zwischen dem Europäischen Parlament und dem Europäischen Rat der Regierungschefs, wer wie viel Einfluss auf die Ernennung des Präsidenten der EU-Kommission haben sollte. Ohne selbst jemals ins Parlament […]
More women for “Team Europe”
Who will be the next President of the European Commission? The discussion currently focuses on one name. However, there are over 30 European positions to be filled: the 27 other Commissioners, including the High Representative of the External Action Service, the Presidency of the European Council, or even the President of the European Parliament. The […]
Dutch and German MEPs: No to shalegas fracking in the Dutch-German border region
Dutch minister Kamp has presented his ideas on where in the Netherlands it might be possible to win shalegas. He has pointed out several locations throughout the country where he wants to research the possibilities, also close to the borders with Belgium and Germany. Though officially the Dutch government has not spoken out in favour […]
Banking union: Major step forward overshadowed by intergovernmental approach to banking resolution
The European Parliament today voted to adopt a series of legislative files as part of the move to create a European banking union (1). The Greens welcomed this major development for dealing with the problems of the financial sector in a coherent European manner but expressed regret that many of the core provisions of the […]