Safe, Not Sorry: With the digital euro project underway, numerous stakeholders have raised concerns over its economic necessity, costs, and potential impact on financial stability. How can the EU and its Member States ensure that the introduction of the digital euro strengthens Europe’s payment system without undermining existing financial structures?
Future Ready: The growing automation of financial, accounting, and banking services threatens the sustainability of job security and renders reskilling capabilities. How can the EU enhance employee protection within its human resources management systems as digitalisation accelerates and private HR service providers become more prevalent?
Future's Green, Keep it Clean: With the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism now in force, the EU has effectively reinforced climate policy and the role of fiscal tools through extended carbon taxation. How can the EU further refine the application of CBAM to address carbon leakage while avoiding disproportionate economic impacts on trading partners?
Great Depression? I think not!: With the disproportionate control the Federal Reserve has on the dollar and global economy post gold-standard, the volatility of the dollar is only set to grow. How can national and international banking regulations be strengthened to prevent systemic crises and futureproof the euro while maintaining access to credit for businesses and individuals?
Generational Gamble: As institutional investors increasingly dominate urban real estate markets, the decoupling of property prices from local wage growth has created a severe housing affordability crisis for young Europeans. How can the EU and its Member States regulate the financialisation of the housing sector to ensure access to affordable living while maintaining a stable environment for long-term urban investment?
Be Smart, Don't Start: As the EU considers stricter tobacco and nicotine regulations, ranging from flavour bans to expanded smoke-free zones, these measures carry significant implications for tax revenues, healthcare expenditure, and the regulation of a multi-billion-euro industry. In what ways can the EU balance long-term public health objectives with fiscal sustainability and individual liberties in shaping its tobacco-control agenda?