Eurogroup and ECOFIN on 9 November: defence and tobacco tax on the agenda
Pierrakakis heads to Brussels. Ministers will discuss joint defence procurement and seek political agreement on tobacco taxation; decisions have not yet been taken.
The Eurogroup and ECOFIN meet in Brussels on Monday, 9 November 2026. Greece’s Ministry of National Economy and Finance announced on 8 November that Kyriakos Pierrakakis would travel there and chair the Eurogroup. The Council of the EU’s official agendas confirm scheduled discussions and an intended agreement, rather than measures already approved.
Defence, the digital euro and the ECB
The inclusive Eurogroup, joined by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, will examine defence financing, the use of public resources and joint procurement. The agenda does not approve a specific expenditure or new funding programme.
The regular meeting includes updates on inflation and fiscal prospects, digital-euro negotiations and ECB preparations, and banking-sector risks. The digital-euro update does not mean it is entering circulation.
Ministers will also take stock of nominations for the ECB presidency and other vacant Executive Board positions. The Greek ministry specifies that the final decision on the presidency rests with the European Council. Deputy Finance Minister Thanos Petralias will represent Greece at the Eurogroup.
What is proposed for tobacco
ECOFIN will seek political agreement on revising European tobacco taxation. The proposal concerns higher minimum excise levels and extending coverage to new tobacco and nicotine products. The agenda does not announce a new Greek tax already in force or a specific change in the price of a packet. Discussion, political agreement and final legislative implementation are separate stages.
The economic consequences of the war in Ukraine, legislative simplification and implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Facility are also on ECOFIN’s agenda.
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