MADRID | June 3, 2015 | By JP Marín Arrese | Fearing the next G7 meeting held in Germany might become the platform for an acrimonious exchange over Europe’s inability to sort out the Greek imbroglio, Merkel summoned the key creditors on Monday in a desperate effort to reach a consensus offer for Athens.
MADRID | June 1, 2015 | By JP Marín Arrese | When Tsipras took over matters from Varoufakis a couple of weeks ago, observers were mildly optimistic about the prospect of Greece reaching a fair deal with its creditors. But yesterday’s remarks by the Hellenic PM on the ‘absurd’ demands filed by his counterparts has dealt a heavy blow to such hopes. The chances of broking an agreement are far away and there are increasing doubts over the ability to reach an understanding before it is too late.
LONDON | May 29, 2015 | By Fabio Fois (Barclays) | Given the large number of voters involved (slightly less than half those involved in last year’s European elections) and local governments contested, we believe the Italian elections represent an important test for the government and the structural reform agenda implemented so far.
The Corner | May 28, 2014 | The energy poverty index tripled in Spain from 2007 to 2013. Despite the country’s better macro outlook, one in ten households are currently struggling to heat themselves in the winter, do not own a TV set or simply cannot pay their bills, according to a report. Spain is the 4th EU country with higher electricity prices, says Eurostat.
LONDON | May 28, 2015 | By Fabrice Montagne (Barclays) | The measures announced on Wednesday are not new but were already extensively discussed in the press or during the campaign and were mostly included in the Conservative manifesto. By making a selection and a ranking of all the possible bills, the Queen’s Speech nonetheless provides necessary clarification on the government’s priorities over the next 12 months.
ATHENS | May 23, 2015 | By Nick Malkoutzis via MacroPolis | A number of eyebrows were raised last week when an opinion poll suggested that former Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis, who oversaw Greece’s fiscal derailment between 2004 and 2009, is the most popular candidate to take over from Antonis Samaras as New Democracy leader.
MADRID | May 22, 2015 | By Francisco López | The Spanish economy is beating new records mainly thanks to external factors. According to the latest data, exports of goods totalled €23.2 billion in March, the best monthly figure since 1971. The euro price fall has been crucial.
The Corner | May 22, 2015 | “Structural reforms that reverse the downward drift in potential growth are now vital for the euro area, which is why I believe, as the guardian of the currency, we have a legitimate interest in talking about them,” ECB’s president Mario Draghi said in a speech in Sintra (Portugal). He praised the ECB’s monthly bond purchases but insisted that monetary easing needs to be combined with reforms.
LETTER FROM AFRICA | May 20, 2015 | By Donato Ndongo | Europe needs to fix this human tragedy that has meant the death of 23,000 people in the last 13 years. Strengthen borders control and providing charitable assistance to starving sub-Saharan Africans who achieve to reach the rich northern shore after a terrible journey through deserts and seas is not working. Tripling the budget will only raise the price of the seat in a boat.
MADRID | May 19, 2015 | By Francisco López | Next Sunday local and regional elections are seen as the first big test before the national vote at the end of the year. Only a few months ago the triumph of Syriza in Greece and the dazzling rise of Podemos caused concern for international investors who bet on Spain. But things have changed.