The European Parliament is gearing up for the next five years with a focus on economic issues such as digital euro and capital markets reform. With a swing to the right expected in the upcoming elections, MEPs will play a crucial role in shaping financial policies. Among the most prominent names likely to influence EU economic issues are Stéphanie Yon-Courtin from France, Jonás Fernández from Spain, Markus Ferber from Germany, Kira-Marie Peter-Hansen from Denmark, Johan Van Overtveldt from Belgium, Aurore Lalucq from France, Eva Maria Poptcheva from Spain, and Fabio De Masi from Germany.
Stéphanie Yon-Courtin, a French lawmaker, has been named the most active legislator shaping capital markets and financial policy. Jonás Fernández, a member of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, has led work on recent reforms to EU bank capital rules. Markus Ferber, from Germany, negotiated the EU’s controversial new fiscal rules and has been a key player in financial legislation. Kira-Marie Peter-Hansen from Denmark has worked on anti-money laundering reforms and the pay transparency directive. Johan Van Overtveldt, a former Belgian finance minister, is calling for a reform of EU spending and has expressed skepticism towards cryptocurrencies.
Aurore Lalucq from France has advocated for a tax on the super-rich to fund environmental and social transition. Eva Maria Poptcheva from Spain, a vice-chair of the Parliament’s economic and financial committee, has worked on creating a new anti-money laundering agency. Fabio De Masi, a German-Italian economist, is a leading candidate of a newly formed party and has a strong track record in fighting corruption. These MEPs, along with others like Philippe Lamberts, Paul Tang, Margarida and Pedro Marques, are expected to play vital roles in shaping economic policies in the EU over the next five years.
Some notable economists who have announced they will not be returning to the European Parliament include Philippe Lamberts, co-president of the Green group, who has worked on banking regulation and the EU’s response to the euro crisis. Paul Tang, chairman of the tax subcommittee, will also be stepping down after being a lead MEP on anti-money laundering legislation. Margarida and Pedro Marques from Portugal’s socialist party will not be returning, following a decision by their party leader to clear out existing MEPs. Overall, the upcoming elections and changes in the composition of the European Parliament are set to have a significant impact on economic policies in the EU.
