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Kathimerini: Barnier calls on Greeks to continue their streamlining efforts; Troika visit postponed
Barnier called on Greeks – mainly the country's government – to make sure they do not reduce their efforts for fiscal adjustment and reforms, adding that a debt haircut was not the issue at present. Moody's upgraded Greece's credit rating by two notches.
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ESM/Regling: Ireland 'right' in clean bailout exit
Regling said that Ireland was "right" to exit the bailout without a precautionary credit line; market reaction to the Government's decision had shown it was the correct one.
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Fitch Portuguese Bank Outlook: Bad debt rise to slow in 2014
Asset quality deterioration, the largest risk, is likely to lessen in 2014. NPLs are expected to rise further, albeit more slowly. (Includes information on 2014 'austerity budget'.)
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Fitch Outlook: Spanish bank restructure benefits to crystallise
The benefits of recent restructuring and integration in the Spanish banking system should crystallise in 2014. These include lower operating costs and the stabilisation of impaired loan growth at some banks, and are a driver for the revision of Fitch's sector Outlook to "stable".
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Remarks by President Van Rompuy after his meeting with Italian PM Letta
Van Rompuy stressed that efforts were still necessary to restore competitiveness and create growth and jobs. Completing the Banking Union was of paramount importance to stabilise the banking sector and economies.
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Reuters: Letta prepares to tackle Italy's voting law stalemate
The Italian PM is under pressure to overhaul a voting law blamed for dragging Italy into political and economic stalemate after the last election. However, economy minister Saccomanni has said Berlusconi's exit should make it easier for the government to push through much-needed economic overhauls.
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Fitch Outlook: Italy bank bad debt may peak, but recovery slow
Impaired loans for the Italian banking sector are likely to plateau in 2014, but recovery in asset quality will take longer because of the fragile domestic economy, according to Fitch Ratings. VP Rehn commented that Italian debt should be reduced faster.
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"Groko" - Germany on its way to a new government
The coalition agreement presented by the CDU/CSU and SPD last week has met with more criticism than approval. However, polls suggest it is likely that the SPD membership will approve the agreement, paving the way for the government to be sworn in on 17 December.
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The German 'Grand Coalition' - Commentary review
The Grand Coalition has been called a success (on domestic issues) by trade unions, and "unintentionally positive" by others. Its stance on Banking Union appears to be "more of the same", but the fact that Germany no longer seems to be insisting on treaty change is seen as a minor breakthrough.
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ECFR/Dullien: What does the German coalition agreement mean for the eurozone?
Dullien writes that some sections of the agreement seem to be hiding the real impact of the proposed policy measures, in order to soothe criticism in both camps. However, the decisive majority in the Bundestag could be enough to change Germany's constitution to allow for much bolder steps.
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Fitch: French banks' 2014 strategy updates to focus on core units
French banks' new strategic plans are likely to extend their focus on core franchises, balance sheet strengthening and streamlining. Fitch predicts that any external growth plans would be highly selective and limited to small bolt-on acquisitions.
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Goldman Sachs may reconsider London as a hub if UK quits EU - Comments by Sharon Bowles MEP
Bowles warned of dramatic job losses in the financial sector if the UK were to leave the EU, after co-CEO Michael Sherwood said Goldman Sachs would be likely to 'drastically reduce' its activities in London in case of an EU exit. EP president Schulz said the UK should be a 'fully-fledged' EU member.
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EPIN/Möller: Why trying to keep the Germans close on EU competences is risky for Britain
Möller writes that if Britain is to be successful in winning over Germany on EU reform, it needs to understand how Germany's federal system is an integral part of modern Germany and key to the country's thinking on Europe.
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Opinium: In or Out? Britain's future in Europe
Evidence from Opinium's latest poll suggests that the British public would ultimately vote to leave the EU in a referendum, although this is by no means as certain as it is often portrayed.
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WSJ: Luxembourg parties strike deal paving way for new government
Luxembourg's three smaller parties have reached a deal on a coalition programme, clearing the way for a new government to take office - a move that has brought to an end Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker's almost 20 years in power.
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Slovenia Times: Law changes to enable rapid bank recapitalisation
The Slovenian Parliament has approved a bill allowing the government to use up to €4.7 billion for a rapid recapitalisation of the main banks in difficulty, owned predominantly by the Slovenian State.
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Finnish government decides on implementation of structural policy programme
On 29 November, the Finnish government agreed on a reform plan that aims to reduce public spending by around €1 billion by 2017.
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