SPIEGEL ONLINE - 24.05.2012
With Greeks heading to the polls once again in June, finance ministries in euro-zone member states are preparing for the worst. Several media outlets are reporting that contingency plans are being developed to prepare for a Greek exit from the common currency zone. more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE - 24.05.2012
French President François Hollande managed to set the tone at his first EU summit with his proposal for euro bonds. It was the first such meeting in years that was not dominated by Chancellor Merkel. Hollande wanted to send the message that France will be more assertive in the future. By Carsten Volkery in Brussels more... [ Forum ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE - 23.05.2012
New French President François Hollande has been consistent in his demands for measures to stimulate economic growth in the European Union. But so far, Hollande has been vague about exactly what he wants. His moment of truth will arrive on Wednesday night. By Carsten Volkery in London more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE - 21.05.2012
French President François Hollande has reignited the debate over euro bonds ahead of this week's informal EU summit. Germany has repeated its opposition to jointly issued debt. German commentators are divided over the merits of euro bonds, but agree that Chancellor Merkel will have to make concessions. more... [ Forum ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE - 21.05.2012
French President François Hollande will put German Chancellor Angela Merkel under pressure at Wednesday's EU summit to agree to euro bonds, which she has so far strictly opposed. Italy and Britain are expected to back Hollande in a further sign that Merkel is increasingly isolated in Europe with her austerity plan for saving the euro. more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE - 21.05.2012
In a SPIEGEL interview, British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg argues that the European Union has to stand together to fight the crisis. The euro zone needs a clear vision for its future, he argues, otherwise Europe will see a new wave of nationalism and xenophobia. more... [ Forum ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE - 10.05.2012
After two years of austerity, growth is suddenly back in fashion in Europe, following calls by the incoming French president, François Hollande, for measures to boost the economy. But the EU's planned "growth pact" is likely to be too small to help the crisis-hit countries of southern Europe. By Carsten Volkery more... [ Forum ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE - 19.04.2012
German Chancellor Merkel has made it clear that she would like to see French President Nicolas Sarkozy win a second term. Indeed, if his challenger François Hollande emerges victorious in the country's upcoming election, she could face isolation in Europe. But a Sarkozy re-election might be problematic, too. By Veit Medick and Severin Weiland more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE - 12.04.2012
The markets appeared to have forgotten about the euro crisis for a few weeks, but now uncertainty is returning, with yields rising again on Spanish and Italian government bonds. The effects of the ECB's massive cash injection are wearing off, and Spain's banks have already reportedly run out of the cheap cash they got from the central bank. By David Böcking more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE - 11.03.2012
He's ahead of incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy in polls and he would like to become France's next president. If elected, Socialist Party candidate François Hollande says in a SPIEGEL interview, he will seek to renegotiate the European fiscal pact agreed to by Merkel and Sarkozy. He also wants to introduce common European "project bonds". more...
