Kathryn Carlson

Brussels

EU Financial Regulation Reporter at POLITICO Europe

🇪🇺 finance for @POLITICOEurope. Also at @kcarlsonjourno.bsky.social

Articles

Headwinds for the aviation lobby in Paris

1 week ago | politico.eu | Kathryn Carlson

A weekly newsletter on campaigning, lobbying and political influence in the EU. By KATHRYN CARLSON Hello, Brussels! Kathryn Carlson here, from POLITICO’s Financial Services team, holding the Influence pen this week.
EU resurrects banking practice that caused the 2008 financial crisis

1 week ago | politico.eu | Kathryn Carlson

BRUSSELS — The European Union wants to breathe new life into a financial practice most commonly associated with causing the 2008 financial crisis as it tries to jump-start banks’ lending to the economy. On Tuesday, the European Commission will publish a package of legislation aiming to revive the industry of “securitization,” after strict postcrisis laws almost stamped out the use of the practice in the bloc.
As Bulgaria prepares to join the euro, Poland couldn’t be less interested

3 weeks ago | politico.eu | Kathryn Carlson |Izabella Kaminska

BRUSSELS — As the European Union's poorest country Bulgaria readies to enter the eurozone, the bloc’s economic star pupil Poland is further than ever from joining. The European Central Bank is widely expected to give the nod Wednesday for Bulgaria to become the 21st country in the eurozone from the start of 2026.
Document: EU to loosen rules for resold debt

1 month ago | politico.eu | Kathryn Carlson |Max Griera

The European Commission plans to make it easier for banks to invest in resold debt, known as “securitization,” under draft proposals to revise rules for the practice seen by POLITICO. The Commission will publish its revision of the EU’s securitization rules in a legislative package on June 17. This will include changes to the Capital Requirements Regulation, the Securitization Regulation, and two secondary laws, the Liquidity Coverage Requirement Delegated Act and the Solvency II Delegated Act.
Global financial rule-makers risk losing relevance if Trump pulls back entirely

1 month ago | politico.eu | Kathryn Carlson

BRUSSELS — For decades, global finance has operated on a peculiar kind of authority — one without armies, enforcement powers, or a democratic mandate. Instead, the officials who govern the sprawling, interconnected financial system rely on something more intangible: trust, consensus, and the quiet credibility of technocracy. But now, under the Donald Trump administration, the U.S. — long a major voice in international rulemaking — is threatening to take a wrecking ball to that system.
Sauna diplomacy pauses as top Finnish spot in Brussels closes for now

2 months ago | politico.eu | Kathryn Carlson

BRUSSELS — Steamy soft power is taking a breather. EU diplomats looking to network while sweating it out will be disappointed for the next few months, as the famed sauna in Finland’s permanent representation in Brussels is closed for renovations.
Brussels takes aim at those cashing in on broken European markets

2 months ago | politico.eu | Kathryn Carlson

BRUSSELS — The EU has long promised to tear down the barriers splintering its capital markets — but behind every delay lies a web of national interests and industry players profiting from the patchwork. But now, Brussels’ top financial official is signaling that the era of diplomatic restraint regarding such forces may be coming to an end.
Ask not what the EU can do for markets - but what markets can do for the EU

Mar 19, 2025 | politico.eu | Kathryn Carlson

Feedback on that strategy so far is mixed. Carmine Di Noia, director for financial and enterprise affairs at the OECD, told POLITICO the developments were “a step in the right direction” for obtaining a reliable funding source for the EU's needs, including on defense.
EU shouldn’t stray from spending rules despite defense needs, finance ministers’ chief says

Feb 19, 2025 | politico.eu | Kathryn Carlson

BRUSSELS — The EU should stick to its recently agreed spending rules despite growing calls to tweak them to increase defense investment, the president of the influential group of eurozone finance ministers said.
EU shouldn’t stray from spending rules despite defense needs, finance ministers’ chief says

Feb 18, 2025 | finance.einnews.com | Kathryn Carlson

How von der Leyen blindsided Brussels with her deregulation drive The Commission president is pushing a sweeping, rapid and centralized agenda to “simplify” EU rules — and not everyone in Brussels is thrilled.