Euro-Crisis

Into the Crisis

Portugal strikes but tougher times may lie ahead
Portuguese workers have already staged one national strike in protest at the austerity measures put forward by the socialist government

Greece must make 'extra effort' to hit 2011 budget target
It’s been six long months since the EU and the IMF bailed out Greece to the tune of €110bn (£91bn), and officials have warned that an “extra effort” must be made to reduce next year’s budget deficit if the country is to keep receiving aid.

Germany key to euro resolution
The ongoing euro crisis has focused on the debt-plagued economies at Europe’s periphery, the so-called ‘PIGS’, Portugal, Ireland, Greece and Spain.

Ireland accepts its fate and takes EU bail-out
While Ireland’s government has finally accepted that it will take a bail-out from the European Union (EU) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the terms attached are not clear.

Financial Crisis

Celtic tiger still cowed
Ireland won much praise for its early efforts to deal with the deficit

Property cracks Spain’s economy
Though its economy is not in as bad a state as that other favoured Mediterranean holiday destination.

Robust economy brings relief for coalition
Britain’s much better than expected third quarter GDP figures came at exactly the right time for the coalition government

International Overview

Sovereign bond yields diverge
The divergence in performance of different European bonds

EU needed IMF help
The rescue package for Greece had to be arranged with the assistance of the International Monetary Fund (IMF),