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Balkan silk road

In Europe 11th October 2017

China’s Footprint In Southeast Europe: Constructing The “Balkan Silk Road”

Jens Bastian via Macropolis | The “Balkan Silk Road” is the name given to the transport route and logistics corridor China has begun to establish in the Balkan region even before the official launch of the BRI two years ago. The Balkans, and by extension Southeast Europe, is a region where China can empirically test various elements of the BRI. The “gate towards Europe”, as the Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang termed Greece during a visit in 2014, initiates the Southeast European corridor of the Silk Road.

German model

In Europe 10th October 2017

A German Model For The Rest of Europe?

Francesco Saraceno | Angela Merkel will be Chancellor for the fourth time, marking a long period of political and policy stability. In the past fifteen years Germany emerged as the model to follow for the other large economies. For since its economy has performed better, in terms of growth and unemployment, than France or Italy.

Spain-Catalonia

In Europe 2nd October 2017

Catalan Referendum: Has Spain been badly wounded?

A British newspaper asked this question this morning and it’s very pertinent. What has been happening in Catalonia recently puts Spain, a member of the EU, at risk of failure. Essentially what has taken place in Catalonia is the violation of the constitutional order and the rule of law.

 

Catalan referendum

In Europe 2nd October 2017

Catalan Referendum: Rajoy has the law on his side, but is politically weak

The main problem from today onwards is not that Catalonia obtains independence, because there is zero possibility of that happening. It’s rather the weakening of Spain and Europe. Prime Minister Rajoy has the law on his side, but he is politically weak. He needs to look for back up outside, from Europe. But effective support, not notional.

 

Germany and Europe

In Europe 2nd October 2017

European Fears of “Jamaica” Coalition Are Overblown

A three-party “Jamaica” coalition in Germany may not be so bad for Europe as observers fear. The real benefit for Europe would be German domestic policy. After four years of stasis under the grand coalition, the “Jamaica” parties could transform the German economy

 

Merkel gets most votes in German elections

In Europe 25th September 2017

German Elections Outcome To Have Limited Impact On Markets In Short-Term

Despite the elements of surprise in yesterday’s general elections in Germany, most analysts and economists believe the overall impact on the financial markets will be limited in the short and medium-term. But with the status quo of the Grand Coalition no longer available, there will now be a period of uncertainty.