EU banking unionPolitical Union Eurozone limits
  • What a banking union means for Europe
    Essay by Philip Whyte, 05 December 2012
    What a banking union means for Europe
  • Alice in euroland: What political union for the single currency?
    Insight by Philip Whyte, 09 October 2012
    Alice in euroland: What political union for the single currency?
  • Has the eurozone reached the limits of the politically possible?
    Insight by Simon Tilford, 12 July 2012
    Has the eurozone reached the limits of the politically possible?
  • Germany's euro advantage
    Opinion piece by Simon Tilford
    International Herald Tribune, 13 July 2010

    Prior to the introduction of the euro, European economies running big trade deficits routinely devalued their currencies against the Deutschmark and other currencies tied to it. This prompted allegations of beggar-thy-neighbor activity and even calls for protectionism.
  • Germany, the euro and the politics of the bail-out
    Briefing note by Katinka Barysch, 28 June 2010

    Germany agreed to support its eurozone partners only slowly and reluctantly. Domestic political constraints and Angela Merkel's caution were partly to blame.
  • The eurozone retreats into a beggar-thy-neighbour cul-de-sac
    Insight by Simon Tilford, 14 June 2010

    Almost every member of the eurozone is rushing to slash public spending. While there is no doubting the scale of the fiscal challenge, the eurozone economy is not strong enough to cope with the contractionary effects of a generalised budgetary tightening.
  • Merkels bezuiniging is onverantwoordelijk
    Opinion piece by Simon Tilford
    NRC Handelsblad, 14 June 2010

    Het Duitse besluit om sterk te gaan bezuinigingen is volkomen verkeerd. De Duitsers moeten juist gaan consumeren, betoogt Simon Tilford.
  • Eurozone governance: Why the Commission is right
    Insight by Philip Whyte, 04 June 2010

    The collapse of market confidence sparked by the parlous state of Greece’s public finances is forcing the EU to review how the eurozone is run. This is entirely welcome.
  • The euro's reality gap
    Bulletin article by Simon Tilford, 01 June 2010

    Europe faces a critical choice between greater integration or disintegration. The gap between the rhetoric of a united Europe and the reality of national interests and politics has always dogged the EU.

  • Closing the gap between rhetoric and reality is key to the euro's survival
    Insight by Simon Tilford, 10 May 2010

    Europe faces a critical choice between greater integration and disintegration. The gap between the rhetoric of a united and integrated Europe and the reality of national interests and politics has always dogged Europe.

  • EU learnt from Greek experience
    Opinion piece by Simon Tilford
    Financial Times, 09 May 2010

    Sir, Lex on the Portuguese bail-out (May 4) implies that the International Monetary Fund would have imposed more rigorous criteria on the crisis-hit country than the “soft-touch” European Union.