Kathryn Carlson

Brussels

EU Financial Regulation Reporter at POLITICO Europe

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

Articles

As Bulgaria prepares to join the euro, Poland couldn’t be less interested

3 days 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 week 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

1 month 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

1 month 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

2 months ago | 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.
How von der Leyen blindsided Brussels with her deregulation drive

Feb 16, 2025 | politico.eu | Kathryn Carlson

Ursula von der Leyen has begun her second term as European Commission president with a lightning-fast deregulation drive — and almost no one in Brussels knew about it until it was already happening. Under pressure from right-wing governments, von der Leyen has hinged her second term as president on an agenda of cutting red tape to make Europe's economy more attractive.
Von der Leyen’s hold on Brussels wavers with last-minute reprieve for financial rules

Feb 13, 2025 | politico.eu | Giovanna Faggionato |Ben Munster |Kathryn Carlson

BRUSSELS — Queen Ursula might just be losing control of her courtiers. The all-powerful “Queen” of Europe, Ursula von der Leyen, is already facing rebellion from within her own ranks, with her controversial deregulatory drive meeting pushback from top officials in her administration.