EU readies €800bn debt programme but safe asset status in doubt

The European Commission says it is ready to pull the trigger on Next Generation EU — an €800bn debt programme designed to finance the bloc’s economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. Political hurdles remain but from a funding perspective the EU is raring to go. However, market participants warn that even with its colossal funding need, it may not fulfil ambitions of becoming a true eurozone safe asset, writes Lewis McLellan.