EPICENTER

In Metro.cz, the Centre for Economic and Market Analyses (CETA), as part of the Epicenter network, presented the network’s Alternative EU Budget study warning against the European Commission’s proposals for the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework. Analysts including Michael Fanta and Aleš Rod of CETA criticised the introduction of five new own resources (including the CORE corporate levy and e-waste contribution) and the normalisation of joint EU borrowing. The study recommends capping the budget at 1% of GNI, focusing spending on genuine European added value, simplifying funds, respecting subsidiarity, maintaining fiscal neutrality, and strengthening competitiveness through deregulation rather than subsidies.

In LiberoQuotidiano.it, Alberto Mingardi, Director of the Istituto Bruno Leoni and part of the Epicenter network, criticised proposals for new European taxes to finance an expanded Multiannual Financial Framework. Mingardi warned that the Commission’s plans for additional own resources, such as the CORE corporate levy, would increase the overall tax burden without delivering real value, arguing instead for a leaner EU budget capped at 1% of GNI with better prioritisation of spending.

In Ilfoglio.it, Luca Lo Schiavo and Carlo Stagnaro (Istituto Bruno Leoni) analysed Italy’s persistently high electricity bills and the multiple policy-driven causes behind them. The article references Epicenter’s study showing that Europe does not need additional resources for the next Multiannual Financial Framework: the EU can achieve its objectives by concentrating spending more effectively while remaining within the traditional 1% of GNI cap. The authors argue that auction revenues from the ETS should be used to reduce energy bills rather than feed an expanding EU budget, while calling for national measures to cut system charges, reduce bureaucracy, and accelerate genuine market reforms.

In ForbesBulgaria.com, Petar Ganev from the Institute for Market Economics (IME), as part of the Epicenter network, warned that Bulgaria’s support for a significantly larger EU budget through the ‘Friends of Cohesion’ group carries serious risks, including new European taxes and greater fiscal centralisation. The article presents the network’s Alternative EU Budget proposal, which caps the Multiannual Financial Framework at around 1% of GNI, calls for deep cuts to inefficient spending, and prioritises competitiveness and the Single Market over expanding fiscal transfers.

In BTA.bg, the Institute for Market Economics (IME), as part of the Epicenter network, warned that Bulgaria’s support for a significantly larger EU budget through the ‘Friends of Cohesion’ group carries serious risks, including new European taxes and greater fiscal centralisation. The article presents the network’s Alternative EU Budget proposal, which caps the Multiannual Financial Framework at around 1% of GNI, calls for deep cuts to inefficient spending, and prioritises competitiveness and the Single Market over expanding fiscal transfers.

In Newsbeast.gr, the Centre for Liberal Studies (KEFiM), as part of the Epicenter network, presented its latest study on the Greek and EU pension systems. The analysis projects that by 2029 workers’ and employers’ contributions will cover approximately 62% of pension expenditure in Greece, with the remaining 38% still funded directly from the state budget through taxes. The study highlights the heavy reliance on the pay-as-you-go model, draws parallels with the EU institutions’ own unfunded pension system (79% funded from the current EU budget), and calls for a gradual shift toward greater capitalisation to reduce long-term pressure on workers and taxpayers.

In Dnews.gr, the Centre for Liberal Studies (KEFiM), as part of the Epicenter network, presented its new policy paper on the competitiveness of the Greek and European economy. The study shows Greece falling three places to 50th out of 69 economies in the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking 2025, with the largest decline in business efficiency. The analysis links Greece’s structural weaknesses to broader EU challenges following the Draghi Report, criticising the proposed new Multiannual Financial Framework for failing to address capital market fragmentation and regulatory barriers to the Single Market.

In Protothema.gr, the Centre for Liberal Studies (KEFiM), as part of the Epicenter network, presented its new policy paper on the competitiveness of the Greek and European economy. The study shows Greece ranking 50th out of 69 economies in the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking 2025, dropping three places from the previous year. The analysis links Greece’s poor performance to bureaucracy, limited access to capital, and slow reforms, while connecting national challenges to the broader EU debate following the Draghi Report and the proposed new Multiannual Financial Framework.

In Newsbeast.gr, the Centre for Liberal Studies (KEFiM), as part of the Epicenter network, presented its new policy paper on the competitiveness of the Greek and European economy. The study shows Greece ranking 50th out of 69 economies in the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking 2025, dropping three places from the previous year, and links poor performance to persistent bureaucracy, brain drain, and slow reforms. The analysis connects Greek challenges to the broader EU debate following the Draghi Report, criticising the Commission’s proposed new Multiannual Financial Framework for failing to address fragmentation of capital markets and regulatory barriers to the Single Market.