Articles
16 January 2026 

Watch: Complacency is a real danger for Europe’s economies

ING's Bert Colijn on the dangers eurozone leaders are facing, even though, on the face of it, their economies are performing fairly well.

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Complacency is a real danger for Europe’s economy

The eurozone's economy starts the year in pretty decent shape. There's vaguely decent growth, and inflation is bang on target. No wonder the European Central Bank keeps referring to being in a "good place". But ING's Bert Colijn says there's a real danger here. As other countries flex their economic muscles, Europe has to commit to higher defence spending, invest in high-tech, and pursue further reforms. If it doesn't, 2026 could be a year of reckoning.

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