“Is the risk of stagflation real?“. Most economic forecasts predict a return, in the medium-term, to pre-pandemic growth and inflation. Nevertheless, the European Central Bank and fiscal authorities need to be vigilant for signs of the contrary.

 “A policy triangle for Big Techs in finance“. Big Techs’ expansion into financial services can bring competition, efficiency, and inclusion, particularly in emerging market and developing economics. This column presents a policy triangle that highlights the trade-offs between three objectives: financial stability, competition, and data privacy.

 “The risks of US-EU divergence on corporate sustainability disclosure“. Sustainability disclosure is in vogue, with more than 80 percent of major global companies reporting on some aspects of their social and environmental impacts. This is partly driven by growing calls for transparency by civil society organizations and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investors, who are demanding detailed and verified corporate sustainability information.

 “A transatlantic divide?“. Transitory inflation in Europe but persistent in the US.

 “Concentration of artificial intelligence and other frontier IT skills“. Online job postings indicate that demand from top tech firms for frontier IT skills is about double their demand for other IT skills. This could indicate increasing concentration of skills in a few firms, with other firms left behind.

 “The need for better fiscal rules in Europe“. European policymakers are considering whether to reinstate the existing fiscal rules with only the most necessary adjustments, or to put in place a better framework. This column proposes reform anchored in the most important economic criteria for public sector debt sustainability.

 “Can EU fiscal rules jump on the green bandwagon?“. By and large, setting a new green golden rule would be a useful addition to the existing EU fiscal framework.

 “Fiscal rules in a post-Covid brave new world“. The European Commission published a Communication to relaunch the public debate on the review of the EU economic governance framework. A key issue to be discussed is how to ensure sustainable public finances in all Member States when the ‘general escape clause’ is eventually lifted.

 “The socioeconomic effects of COVID-19 on women“. The pandemic has disproportionately affected women both professionally and at home. Although the gender gap in labour force participation since the onset of the pandemic hasn’t worsened, policy still needs to tackle existing gender gaps, which for some EU countries are very substantive.