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FEPS Newsletter 8 July 2025 – 🛑 Inflation driven by speculation and profits must stop

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08/07/2025
Sevilla conference, protests in Serbia… –

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Inflation doesn’t just “happen;” it is not an unstoppable natural phenomenon. The inflation episode we experienced in 2021-2023 (and still experiencing today) in the food and energy sectors was to a large extend caused by a few huge companies that reap enormous profits on speculation from the financial suffering of the majority.
 

It can and should be stopped, and we must get ready now for the next inflation episode.
 

A new FEPS study explains how to do so. Read, listen to our eye-opening podcast and join our upcoming event. Get angry, get active! Check below!
Inflation

Before the summer break, save this date on your agenda! We will explore key lessons from the recent inflation episode and imagine a new inflation governance framework to prevent or mitigate inflation shocks in the future. 
 

We will also present the policy study “The profit-price spiral in food and energy“, which examines the drivers of inflation in these critical sectors.
 

In collaboration with EESC, Fondazione Pietro Nenni and TASC
Listen to the podcast

FEPS TALKS PODCAST

How to stop inflation

With Ben Tippet, Anna Kolesnichenko and Ainara Bascuñana
 

🎧  Spotify | Apple Podcast | Website | Youtube

There is nothing normal about inflation. In this episode of FEPS Talks, the idea that inflation is ‘natural’ is debunked by Ben Tippet, Lecturer in Economics at the Department of International Development, King’s College London, and Anna Kolesnichenko, Economic Policy Analyst at FEPS. 
 

With Ainara Bascuñana, Head of Communications, they discuss the findings of the policy study “The profit-price spiral in food and energy”.

POLICY STUDY

The profit-price spiral in food and energy

Analysis and toolbox to fight inflation

By Thomas Rabensteiner, Ines Heck, Benjamin Tippet and Anna Kolesnichenko
 

This policy study shows that companies in food and energy supply chains have reaped abnormally high profits during the 2021-23 inflation episode.
 

The EU needs to create a proper inflation governance framework that would involve not just the European Central Bank’s monetary policy, but a complex of measures on inflation preparedness, prevention, reduction and mitigation. 
The profit-price spiral in food and energy

This policy study was promoted during the Day of Progressive Economic Policy in Berlin.
Events

Upcoming events

See full schedule
The EU-UK Progressive Forum
 

📅  14-15 JULY

📍BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

The EU-UK Progressive Forum

A new chapter

The relaunch of relations between the EU and the UK marks a shift towards more constructive engagement following years of post-Brexit tension.
 

This conference will convene politicians and experts to build trust and understanding around issues such as security, trade and mobility. Register. 

Past events

See all past events

FEPS was in Sevilla for the UN 4th International Conference on Financing for Development, the venue for the global debate on development, gathering 70 heads of state and government. We co-organised two pivotal events with high-level experts from around the world:

30 JUNE – SEVILLA, SPAIN

New strategic partnerships for development: Developing countries and the EU

UN official side event

By FEPS and UN office in Brussels
 

Together, we tackled key challenges in international cooperation and explored how to improve the financing of development – ensuring that initiatives like the Global Gateway meet the full scope of their ambition.
New strategic partnerships for development: Developing countries and the EU

Among our speakers were Fernando Sampedro, Secretary of State of the EU, Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Aminata Touré, former Prime Minister of Senegal; Oliver Röpke, President of EESC and others.
Financing our future: Crafting a progressive vision for the future of financing for development

30 JUNE – SEVILLA, SPAIN

Financing our future: Crafting a progressive vision for the future of financing for development

By FEPS, in collaboration with Socialist International, PSOE de Andalucía, Fundación Avanza, Fundación Pablo Iglesias, Fondation Jean-Jaurès, Olof Palme International Center and Karl-Renner-Institut.
 

FEPS co-hosted a public conference aiming to boost the implementation of the Pact for the Future and the 2030 Sustainable Agenda.

With speakers including high-level representatives from the Spanish government, progressive policymakers and experts – including Spanish Minister Ana Redondo and MEPs Lina Gálvez Muñoz, Leire Pajín and Udo Bullmann. 

23 JUNE – FEPS HQ

Unpacking the Clean Industrial Deal

By FEPS, in collaboration with Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES)
 

The meeting gathered a knowledge community of experts, civil society representatives and policy-makers emphasising that whilst the Clean Industrial Deal shows promise, its success will depend on how it is implemented.
Unpacking the Clean Industrial Deal
Serbia’s ‘Journey of Hope’

26 JUNE – FEPS HQ

Serbia’s ‘Journey of Hope’

From students’ protests to political changes

By FEPS and FES Serbia
 

What will be the impact of the students-led demonstrations on Serbia’s political landscape and on its path to democracy? This question and more were discussed with speakers, including MEP Tonino Picula, MPs Borko Stefanović and Ksenija Marković, professor Aleksandra Krstić, journalist Sofija Popović, and student representative, Aleksa Popović. 

📕Read our policy brief “Serbia’s civic awakening: the 2024-2025 student protests in focus“

📽️ Watch our 1-minute event video, including a powerful message for the EU.

27 JUNE – NYÍRBÁTOR, HUNGARY

Defending democracy, empowering women

Economic policy challenges in Europe and Hungary

By FEPS, in collaboration with the Táncsics Mihály Foundation
 

Held just one day before the Budapest Pride March – which FEPS proudly joined – the conference brought together participants to address from a feminist perspective, including:
  • Economic policy challenges in Europe and Hungary, including the resilience of female entrepreneurs
  • The potential for a progressive market economy, and more.
Defending democracy, empowering women
Publications
Strengthening and maintaining Just Transition goals in the EU Budget

POLICY BRIEF

Strengthening and maintaining Just Transition goals in the EU Budget

By Amandine Crespy and Tiago Moreira Ramalho
 

The next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) must remain committed to fund the Just Transition and must be negotiated through a transparent and inclusive institutional process. 
 

This policy brief looks at how the Just Transition goals and actions to combat the climate crisis can be addressed via the MFF and proposes clear strategies to achieves those goals.
 

POLICY BRIEF

Serbia’s civic awakening: the 2024-2025 student protests in focus

Friends of the Western Balkans series

By Strahinja Subotić
 

The policy brief traces the protest’s evolution from spontaneous gatherings and student blockades demanding accountability to the shift toward political engagement.
 

As the crisis is nowhere near its end, this paper concludes with policy recommendations for a more proactive EU response.
 
Serbia’s civic awakening: the 2024-2025 student protests in focus
Progressive Post
European Social Democracy at historical crossroads

MAGAZINE – NEW ISSUE!

European Social Democracy at historical crossroads
 

Get the latest issue of The Progressive Post magazine before the summer break! 
 

It is time to take action and forge a path towards a Socialist renewal. European Socialists struggle to balance their responsibilities with the need to take bold positions and actions in the face of many major crises, while far-right political parties are increasingly gaining ground. Against this background, we offer European progressive forces food for thought on projecting themselves into the future. 

Among this issue’s highlights, we discuss the transformative power of European Social Democracy, examine the far right’s efforts to redesign education systems to serve its own political agenda and highlight the growing threat of anti-gender movements to LGBTIQ+ rights – among other pressing topics.  Read the magazine. 

DOSSIER

BRICS: navigating global ambitions and geopolitical tides
 

The BRICS summit kicked off in Brazil on July 6-7 with its new expanded membership. Can the group’s ambitions overcome the heterogeneity of its new configuration?
BRICS: navigating global ambitions and geopolitical tides

Photo credit: Shutterstock / Wirestock Creators

Read the latest dossier of The Progressive Post:

📚 Read more.

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