EPICENTER

In Kathimerini.gr, the Centre for Liberal Studies (KEFiM), as part of the Epicenter network, highlighted in its new policy paper that Greece’s pension system remains heavily reliant on current workers’ contributions (57%) and general taxation (43%), with similar unfunded patterns observed in the EU institutions themselves. The analysis criticises the lack of proper capitalisation and reserves, noting that EU staff pensions have surged 183% in real terms since 2000 and are largely funded directly from the current EU budget rather than accumulated funds.

In Centrum.cz, experts from the Centrum ekonomických a tržních analýz (CETA), as part of the Epicenter network, criticised the European Commission’s proposed €1.7 trillion Multiannual Financial Framework, warning that it normalises joint EU debt through instruments such as the National and Regional Partnership Plan. The article presents the network’s Alternative EU Budget proposal, which caps the budget at 1% of GNI (approximately €1.54tn), rejects new own resources including the CORE corporate levy, and calls for fiscal discipline, reduced bureaucracy, and a focus on genuine competitiveness and the Single Market.

In Dnews.gr, the Centre for Liberal Studies (KEFiM), as part of the Epicenter network, presented its latest study showing that 43% of pension expenditure in Greece in 2025 continues to be funded directly from the regular state budget rather than social security contributions. The analysis highlights similar unfunded liabilities at EU level, where 79% of staff pensions are paid from the current EU budget, and calls for structural reforms including stronger capitalisation to ease long-term pressure on taxpayers and public finances.

In Newsbeast.gr, the Centre for Liberal Studies (KEFiM), as part of the Epicenter network, presented its latest study showing that 43% of pension payments in Greece in 2025 are still covered directly from the regular state budget rather than social security contributions. The analysis draws parallels with the EU institutions, where 79% of staff pensions are funded from the current EU budget, and calls for structural reforms toward greater capitalisation to reduce the burden on taxpayers and improve long-term fiscal sustainability.

In Protothema.gr, the Centre for Liberal Studies (KEFiM), as part of the Epicenter network, warned in its latest study that the pension system continues to weigh heavily on taxpayers across the EU. In Greece, 43% of pension expenditure in 2025 is still funded directly from the regular state budget rather than contributions, while similar unfunded liabilities exist at EU level. The analysis calls for structural reforms and a shift toward greater capitalisation to reduce long-term pressure on public budgets and taxpayers.

In Newsit.gr, the Centre for Liberal Studies (KEFiM), as part of the Epicenter network, highlighted that 43% of pension expenditure in Greece in 2025 was still financed directly from the regular state budget, while 57% came from contributions. The study also draws attention to the EU institutions’ own pension system, where 79% of staff pensions are funded from the current EU budget rather than accumulated reserves, and calls for a gradual shift toward stronger capital-funded models to ease long-term pressure on taxpayers and public budgets.

In HuffingtonPost.gr, the Centre for Liberal Studies (KEFiM), as part of the Epicenter network, highlighted that 43% of pension expenditure in Greece continues to be financed directly from the regular state budget rather than social security contributions. The analysis draws parallels with EU institutions, where staff pensions are largely unfunded and covered by the current EU budget, calling for reforms toward greater capitalisation and reduced long-term pressure on taxpayers.

In Linkiesta.it, the Istituto Bruno Leoni presented Epicenter’s new study on the EU budget, criticising the European Commission’s proposal to expand the next Multiannual Financial Framework with new own resources such as the CORE corporate tax and other levies. The analysis argues that there is no need to increase the budget beyond 1% of GNI, as most additional spending objectives can be achieved at national level or by the market, and warns that new European taxes would only raise the overall fiscal burden without any offsetting reductions in national taxation.

In Ilfoglio.it, Carlo Stagnaro discussed the European Commission’s proposal to expand the next Multiannual Financial Framework, highlighting the risks of higher spending and new own resources. The article presents Epicenter’s new study, coordinated by Christian Năsulea, which applies a strict subsidiarity test to EU spending and argues that the budget should be capped at 1% of GNI. The analysis calls for fewer missions pursued more effectively, deep cuts to non-core programmes, and a focus on strengthening the Single Market rather than expanding fiscal centralisation and joint debt.