News

20.04.2021 - Actual fiscal and infrastructural constraints are often seen as "killjoys" when visions for the city of tomorrow are being developed. But a firm grounding and long-term vision always go hand in hand in scenarios of urban opportunities and challenges. Dörte Diemert, Cologne's city treasurer, together with researchers from difu Berlin and FiFo Cologne present their findings in the April issue of "der gemeindehaushalt” (in German). Please also see the Difu-FiFo report now available.

19.04.2021 - Sofia Darmstadt and FiFo Cologne have published their economic analysis of municipal fiscal equalisation in the Saarland. The route is clear: unprejudiced funding for municipalities and districts that reflects tasks, needs and centrality is feasible; anachronisms such as "inhabitant-weighting" may very well go. Order the real book here; or use its free digital version (both in German).

12.04.2021 - In 2016, one of the big German subsidies for maritime shipping, the wage tax withholding for seafarers on ships flying the German flag, was more than doubled from 40% to 100%. Five years later it is clear this had no impact on employment. Apparently, this failure is not a sufficient reason not to extend the aid for German shipping companies for another six years. Michael Thöne comments on this in the Bundestag hearing from the perspective of subsidy control. (In German.)

15.03.2021 - Federal Europe is unlike the USA. The EU should become stronger and more sovereign through the provision of more and better European Public Goods. In order to make good this claim, the EU will have to assume more of the features of a cooperative federal state with separate standards for decision-making, administration and financing competences. In the Vision Europe Paper 4, Helena Kreuter and Michael Thöne outline the path towards such a European future. The Policy Brief can be found here.

10.02.2021 - Michael Thöne diskutiert im ifo-Schnelldienst Stärken und Schwächen des europäischen Corona-Aufbauplans. Die positive Interpretation: Die kommende Schuldenunion ist eine asymmetrische Reform, die politische Anreize setzt, Integration über verstärkte Governance und gemeinsame Steuern zu vertiefen