euro|topics - MAIN FOCUS

EU wants austerity guarantee from Athens | 10/02/2012

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:00:00 +0100

Greece must fulfil further conditions in order to receive the next rescue package. Among other requirements, the Eurozone finance ministers want written pledges from the Greek parties that they will implement the austerity measures even after the elections in April. Such displays of distrust further distance the Greeks from the EU, some commentators write, while others say the whole rescue plan is just a show.

Greeks swallow bitter pill | 09/02/2012

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:00:00 +0100

Greece's governing parties approved the troika's sweeping austerity package late Wednesday night, with the exception of the demanded pension cuts. The constant delays will cost Greece its head, warn some commentators, while others say the rigid austerity programme will lead straight to perdition.

Athens' euro exit no longer taboo | 08/02/2012

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:00:00 +0100

The vice-president of the EU Commission, Neelie Kroes, on Tuesday declared Greece's exit from the Eurozone justifiable. Kroes was voicing what many European politicians now want, write some commentators, while others see Greece as a victim of the Eurozone's structural flaws.

Romanian prime minister resigns | 07/02/2012

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:00:00 +0100

The Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc resigned on Monday due to massive protests against his centre-right government's austerity programme. Hours later President Traian Băsescu named the independent former head of the Foreign Intelligence Service, Mihai Răzvan Ungureanu, as his successor. Romania needs an independent technocrat, but he will have his work cut out for him dealing with the intrigues of the opposition, commentators write.

Athens struggles over reforms | 06/02/2012

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:00:00 +0100

The troika has presented Greece with an ultimatum. Prime Minister Lucas Papademos must inform the EU, IMF and ECB today of whether his governing coalition will accept the austerity requirements in return for further financial assistance. The party leaders are particularly reluctant to accept labour market reforms. The country consequently remains a danger for the financial markets, some commentators write, while others call for the pressure on Greece to be eased.

US leaves Afghanistan ahead of schedule | 03/02/2012

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:00:00 +0100

US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta announced on Thursday that US combat troops will be withdrawn from Afghanistan by 2013. With its early pull-out the US is betraying the Afghan people and capitulating to the Taliban, commentators write.

Facebook set to take Wall Street by storm | 02/02/2012

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:00:00 +0100

The world's largest online network Facebook filed documents for its IPO on Wednesday, but a date for the flotation has not yet been fixed. As a publicly listed company the global power Facebook will at last be forced to deal more transparently with user data, some commentators write, while others fear a speculation bubble with unforeseeable consequences.

Reactions to the budget pact | 01/02/2012

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:00:00 +0100

With the new fiscal compact 25 EU states will include a debt ceiling in their national legislation and accept automatic sanctions for deficit sinners. But the agreement is of little use without domestic reforms, write some commentators, while others feel the pact is completely superfluous.

EU countries adopt fiscal pact | 31/01/2012

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:00:00 +0100

All EU states, with the exception of the UK and the Czech Republic, agreed to adopt a fiscal compact for more budget discipline at the EU summit on Monday. But the agreement hardly improves on existing law, some commentators write, while others fear it will imperil the economic upswing.

Athens rejects German budget controls | 30/01/2012

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:00:00 +0100

Athens has rejected the German proposal for an EU budget commissioner to be appointed to oversee Athens' finances. If the debt-stricken country continues to resist it will have to leave the Eurozone, some commentators write, while others doubt the measures called for by Germany will be at all productive.