Bulgaria’s Economy Faces Slowdown and Rising Debt: EU Forecast Signals Trouble Ahead
The European Commission has revised its outlook for the Bulgarian economy, projecting a slowdown in growth over the next few years
Fitch Ratings reports that bank lending in both the eurozone and the United Kingdom is showing signs of acceleration following recent interest rate reductions, which have begun to stimulate economic activity. Mortgage lending is emerging as the main driver of household credit growth, particularly in Spain, while corporate lending is gaining traction in France, Spain, and the UK, with overall corporate credit growth in the latter reaching 6%.
The European Central Bank’s latest survey of loan officers highlights an increasing demand for mortgages, indicating renewed confidence in the housing market. In contrast, lending in the United States is recovering at a more gradual pace. While commercial and consumer credit are expanding, real estate lending in the U.S. remains subdued, Fitch noted.
The agency also pointed out that continued private sector surpluses across Europe and the U.S. are contributing to a reduction in debt-to-GDP ratios, supporting broader financial stability in both regions.
Germany’s defense minister Boris Pistorius warned that Russia could regain enough military strength to target a NATO member state before 2029
Romania has ordered the evacuation of the border village of Plauru after a Russian drone strike on a Ukrainian port sparked a fire on a gas-carrying vessel nearby
Poland’s prime minister Donald Tusk has described the recent explosion on a key railway route between Warsaw and Lublin as “an unprecedented act of sabotage aimed at the security of the Polish state and its citizens.”
The European Commission has temporarily halted the preliminary assessment of Bulgaria’s request for the third payment under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has reaffirmed that the most efficient way to fund Ukraine is by using the profits from frozen Russian assets to back a new loan
France is set to mark the 10th anniversary of the November 13, 2015 terror attacks in Paris, in which over 130 people were killed and more than 400 were injured
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