Germany's pension commission is set to recommend a gradual increase in the retirement age from 67 to 70 by the early 2060s, as reported by the tabloid _Bild_. The proposed changes, which aim to address demographic challenges and stabilize pension finances, include a reduction in pension levels from 48 percent to 46 percent. The commission's full recommendations are expected to be presented on June 30.
The European Parliament and EU member states have failed to reach an agreement on the proposed 'return regulation' aimed at expediting the deportation of irregular migrants, following three sessions of talks in Strasbourg. Negotiators will reconvene on June 1 to address contentious issues, primarily the enforcement timeline, with Parliament advocating for immediate implementation while member states seek a two-year delay. European People's Party negotiator François-Xavier Bellamy emphasized the urgency of the migration situation, opposing any postponement.
The European Commission has downgraded its growth forecast for the Eurozone to 0.9% in 2026, down from a previous estimate of 1.2%, citing rising inflation driven by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Inflation in the 21-nation eurozone is now expected to reach 3.0%, significantly above the European Central Bank's target of 2%, as energy prices surge due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. EU economy chief Valdis Dombrovskis noted that the situation poses a 'stagflationary shock' to Europe, with households and businesses facing higher energy costs amid a volatile geopolitical landscape.
Hungary's new government, led by Prime Minister Péter Magyar, has proposed a constitutional amendment that would impose an eight-year limit on the tenure of prime ministers, effectively barring Viktor Orbán from returning to office. The proposal, submitted by lawmakers from the Tisza parliamentary group, aims to restore the rule of law and would apply retroactively to all prime ministers since Hungary's democratization in 1990. Additionally, the amendment seeks to dissolve the Sovereignty Protection Office and redefine the legal status of public interest asset management foundations, which the previous government had used to transfer public assets without democratic oversight.
One email per day. Unsubscribe anytime.