Euro, dissolve?

First Greece, then Ireland, and now? The eurozone is in a bit of a mess, and the way out is unclear. European leaders who met for a crisis summit mid-December felt the pressure to create a permanent debt mechanism for 2013, when the temporary European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) will run out. This sounds rather productive [...]

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New York Market Commentary – 23 Nov 2010

Today’s New York Pre-Market Commentary I have written for S&P European MarketScope: New York Market Commentary – original published 23 November 2010, 14:03 GMT US stock futures are sharply lower, as concerns over tensions on the Korean peninsula add to ongoing woes over eurozone debt and global currency issues. Reports of an exchange of fire between North and [...]

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Is Ireland next?

Is Ireland next? Ireland’s costs of borrowing rose sharply yesterday, as 10-year government bond yields jumped to highs of 8.64%. Meanwhile, President of the European Comission Jose Manuel Barroso announced that the community would step in with support if the green isle needed it. Reportedly, Brian Cowen government has refrained from asking the EU for [...]

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My book :-D

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The nation has spoken! … but what now??

The ‘big day’ everyone (at least in the UK) was waiting for is over. The people went out to cast their votes in the UK general election 2010 – but as the overnight election coverage showed, there is no ‘real’ winner. Winners and Losers Surely, the Conservatives have won the most seats in the House [...]

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The sick man at the Balkan

Greece is in a pickle. That’s a fact. The Hellenic republic dug itself into sovereign debt of over £250 billion. Therewith, Greece’s budget deficit adds up to 12.7% of its GDP – more than four times higher than eurozone rules allow. The situation is critical. This spring, Greece has to refinance a big chunk of [...]

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The Lisbon Treaty is in force… What does that mean?

After years of deadlock, the European Union celebrates a step forward. Today, the Lisbon Treaty entered into force – following a ratification of the treaty by all 27 EU member states. What does the Lisbon Treaty imply though? Does it change my life? University of Westminster’s Politics Lecturer Anthony Staddon has answers:

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Have your say on the European Union

Your chance to have your say on the Lisbon Treaty! http://courantseven.wordpress.com/2009/12/01/polls-on-the-eu-please-have-your-say/

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The Lisbon Treaty – actually set in stone

The eurosceptic Czech President Vaclav Klaus was the last European leader to sign the Lisbon Treaty today. As a result, the EU reform treaty is officially ratified. Four weeks after the second Irish referendum, and after the Tories claimed to hold a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, if they won the general elections and the [...]

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Step by step towards ratification

After the official signing of the Lisbon Treaty by Polish President Lech Kaczynski, yesterday, there is only one country left with the ability to jinx it. Czech President Václav Klaus remains the sole EU-head of state not to have signed, and thus, ratified the Reform Treaty. On Friday, Mr Klaus announced that he would not give his [...]

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