China is rapidly driving forward developments in the fields of artificial intelligence and robotics. Within this framework, the government's development initiatives emphasize strategic planning, targeted assistance, and systematic execution.

On 10 December 2025, the European Commission presented the European Grids Package. The package contains proposals to accelerate grid expansion, improve the coordination of grid planning at EU level and modify cost-sharing arrangements for grid expansion.

Since the new Middle East conflict and the Hormuz Strait blockade, fossil fuel prices in the EU have surged. The EU Commission is now responding with the ‘AccelerateEU’ initiative. Alongside short-term measures, the focus is once again on accelerating the energy transition.

As part of the EU’s current deregulation agenda, there is a risk that efforts toward sustainable finance will be undermined. Financial market stability could also be jeopardized. Meanwhile, the financial lobby is pushing to lower key regulations, such as the capital requirements for banks. We spoke with Isabelle Buscke about these and other challenges.

Due to a shortage of affordable and sustainable housing, Europe is facing a housing crisis. Over the past ten years, rents in the EU have risen by more than 20 per cent on average, whilst residential property prices have increased by more than 60 per cent. In view of this precarious situation, the EU has taken action: shortly before Christmas, the Commission presented its plan for affordable housing, and in mid-March the final report of the European Parliament’s Special Committee on the Housing Crisis was adopted in plenary.

As announced, the European Commission has presented its proposal for the 28th regime. The aim of EU Inc. is to create a Europe-wide limited liability company form that will enable businesses to be set up within 48 hours, for less than 100 euros and without minimum capital requirements. From the standpoint of employees, the EU Inc. proposal has received considerable criticism, especially due to insufficient provisions for safeguarding workers and facilitating their involvement in organizational decision-making processes.

The health and care sectors will require more staff in the future, which means public spending will increase. However, these expenses should not be viewed only as a financial burden. As the sectors expand, they also generate important economic and social benefits. Therefore, when evaluating costs in health and care, their positive impact on society and the economy must also be considered.

The Savings and Investment Union aims to facilitate access to finance and promote investment. The digital euro is designed to serve as a digital counterpart to the current euro, providing an additional option alongside other digital payment solutions. We discussed these major EU projects with the new Secretary General of Finance Watch, Isabelle Buscke.

Europe faces a crossroads due to challenging geopolitics, weak investment, and supply insecurity. The debate on giving preference to European production aims to address these challenges and promote a more sustainable, autonomous and competitive European Single Market. Shortly before the European Commission was due to publish its long-awaited proposal on the Industrial Accelerator Act, the Austrian union PRO-GE and the European offices of ÖGB and AK hosted a public event on 12 February 2026 to discuss the potential of ‘Made in Europe’. The topic met with great interest.

The climate crisis, the digital revolution and growing geopolitical rivalries are forcing industrial policy powerfully onto the EU agenda. The current debate centres on whether the EU is pursuing a narrow, defensive industrial policy focused on competitiveness and security, which could result in the dilution of green and social objectives, or whether it will embrace a more forward-looking, mission-oriented and inclusive approach.