Italian borrowing costs rise to four-year high as Rome-Brussels confrontation looms October 2, 2018 The cost of borrowing for the Italian sovereign rose to its highest since 2014 today amid investor fears of a face-off with the EU over the size of the deficit under the populist government’s spending plans. The yield on a 10-year sovereign bond, which moves inversely to prices, surged by more than 20 basis points [...]
Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier puts himself out of contention for EU presidency September 28, 2018 The EU's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, has put himself out of the running to become the centre-right's candidate to replace departing Jean-Claude Juncker as president of the European Commission. Barnier's announcement ends a protracted period of speculation suggesting that he would throw his hat into the ring for the role of Spitzenkandidat in the [...]
Woo the EU? Theresa May should take tips from the dating game September 26, 2018 Winning votes in an election is a lot like dating. I was explaining the principles of campaigning during a Westminster Foundation seminar in Ghana when one of the young candidates hit on this perfect analogy for electoral success. When you start dating someone, you are keen to establish common interests. “You like Love Island? [...]
The EU needs dynamic new thinking, not lectures on unity September 13, 2018 Even a stopped clock is right twice a day. This should be adopted as the personal motto of European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker, or at least as the tagline for his final State of the Union address yesterday. “There is no applause when EU law dictates that Europeans have to change the clocks twice a [...]
Will Greece be able to stop capital controls? Here are its options July 7, 2015 After voting against accepting proposals put forward by creditors in Sunday's referendum, Greeks are now facing capital controls – ATM withdrawals are limited to €60 (£43) a day. Meanwhile, suppliers are demanding businesses pay cash up front, making normal commerce impossible. Soon, the country could completely run out of cash altogether – analysts [...]
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras calls on Greeks to vote “no” to reforms June 29, 2015 Even if Greece votes against accepting the reforms put forward by creditors, it will not be pushed out of the Eurozone, according to Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. Read more: Jean-Claude Juncker says he feels "betrayed" by Alexis Tsipras During an interview televised on the Greek ERT channel on Monday night, he called on the [...]
Greece rejects bailout extension proposals as Juncker takes positive stance on deal June 26, 2015 Greece has rejected proposals for a five-month extension to its bailout deal – as European President Jean-Claude Juncker took an optimistic stance on the chances of the country reaching a deal with its creditors this weekend. Read more: Has the IMF compromised its credibility over Greece's bailouts? At a press conference following two days of [...]
European stocks soar as European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker says proposals “good basis for progress” June 22, 2015 European stock markets had a strong start to the week, as renewed optimism about a deal between Greece and its lenders boosted indices. The Cac and the Dax were both up 3.1 per cent at pixel time, while the FTSE 100 was up 1.4 per cent. Stocks in Athens were up more than eight [...]
European Commissioner Jean-Claude Juncker says Brexit “not desired” by British June 1, 2015 Jean-Claude Juncker, the European Commission president, has claimed that Britain will not vote to leave the EU. Juncker said that was confident that a Brexit would not occur, stating that David Cameron's motives in holding a referendum were to make Britain's membership permanent. Speaking to the German newspaper, Sueddeutsche Zeitung, he said: Brexit is not [...]
David Cameron starts EU reform road show with Jean-Claude Juncker vow May 25, 2015 European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker last night promised to help solve David Cameron’s EU dilemma, as the Prime Minister sets off on a month-long European tour to drum up support for his reform plan. Cameron began his charm offensive by hosting Juncker for a working dinner at his Chequers country estate. The Prime Minister laid [...]