Maria Demertzis sits down in the studio of The Sound of Economics for one last time in her capacity as Senior fellow and Bruegel’s former Deputy director. In this episode, she reflects on the eight years of her work. What have been the major challenges for the EU and how has Bruegel responded to them? Why does she feel strongly about financial vulnerability and what she sees as the next great challenges for the EU leadership? From inflation to the Fearless girl statue, Maria shares her wide-reaching insights in an interview with Bruegel’s Head of Communications, Katja Knežević. Research mentioned: Memos to the European Union leadership 2024-2029 and Bruegel Annual Meetings 2024 https://www.bruegel.org/anthology/memos-new-eu-leadership-2024 https://www.bruegel.org/BAM2024 Assets purchase programme https://www.bruegel.org/policy-brief/effectiveness-european-central-banks-asset-purchase-programme Productivity https://www.bruegel.org/policy-brief/productivity-paradox-policy-lessons-microprod Financial literacy https://www.bruegel.org/opinion-piece/financial-literacy-and-fearless-woman https://www.bruegel.org/policy-brief/state-financial-knowledge-european-union Rubles payment https://www.bruegel.org/blog-post/sanctions-counter-measure-gas-payments-russia-rubles Digital euro https://www.bruegel.org/policy-brief/value-added-central-bank-digital-currencies-view-euro-area