2013-04-16 10:05:26 +02:00

250 lines
6.7 KiB
Plaintext
Executable File

finance
financialcrisis
8187396
-----
# Eurozone members left to fend off markets alone
## European nations in crisis over their massive debts have been left to sort
out their woes alone after Germany opposed any increase to the eurozone bail-
out fund.
![Eurozone members left to fend off markets alone ][1]
IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn and ECB president Jean-Claude Trichet talk
prior to the Eurogroupe council meeting Photo: AFP/Getty Images
[![Philiip Aldrick][2]][3]
By [Philip Aldrick][4], Economics Editor 7:39PM GMT 07 Dec 2010
[Comments][5]
Ministers said individual countries were taking the necessary actions, with
Ireland outlining a €6bn (£5bn) austerity package for 2011 and Portugal
expected to follow suit despite the recent general strike over planned
reforms.
Instead, European Union finance ministers confirmed that a second, more
stringent round of stress tests on the banks would be carried out in February
and that the details of a permanent crisis resolution mechanism for troubled
euro members would be outlined next week.
Weaker nations had been pushing for the €440bn euro area rescue package to be
increased to calm tremulous bond markets. Facing resistance from Germany, the
strongest nation in the single currency bloc, the plans were dropped. European
Council President Herman Van Rompuy said: "Up to now there is no need to
increase the means available for the facility. If needed, we will consider,
but there is no question today."
In the meantime, the European Central Bank continues to prop up Greece,
Ireland and Portugal by buying their sovereign debt from banks to provide
liquidity. Last week, it bought nearly €2bn - its most concerted action in
five months.
Traders said the bank is resisting buying Spanish sovereign debt to draw a
line between the troubled peripheral nations and their much larger
Mediterranean neighbour, which many fear may be infected by the default fears
sweeping across Europe. Legal & General Investment Management heaped fresh
pressure on the country on Tuesday, though, by warning it would not buy
Spanish debt unless the ECB took the lead. Spain has a huge refinancing
exercise next year.
## Related Articles
* [Ireland's budget vote goes to wire][6]
07 Dec 2010
* [EU debt costs rise as ministers take no steps][7]
07 Dec 2010
* [EC accused of covering up Greek hedge fund report][8]
07 Dec 2010
* [Euro collapse 'possible' amid deepening divisions over bail-out][9]
06 Dec 2010
* [Euro falls, bond markets uneasy over debt crisis as ministers gather][10]
06 Dec 2010
* [Ireland's austerity budget: what economists are saying][11]
08 Dec 2010
European ministers are hoping the ECB's actions, clarity on the resolution
mechanism, new transparency on the banks, and individual country austerity
programmes will be enough to restore confidence in the euro area. However, the
International Monetary Fund's chief [Dominique Strauss-Kahn][12] warned that
"piecemeal" fixes would not work and a "comprehensive" solution is needed.
Attention is now switching to Portugal, which is considered the next weak link
in the chain, after Greece's €110bn bail-out and Ireland's €85bn rescue.
Speaking after a two-day meeting of EU finance ministers, Olli Rehn, European
Economic Affairs Commissioner said: "Currently the Portuguese government is
preparing its next steps and in our view, it is important that the Portuguese
government will shortly substantiate the consolidation measures for next
year."
It has outlined plans to reduce its budget deficit to 4.6pc of GDP in 2011
from 7.3pc this year, through €5bn of tax rises and spending cuts.
The euro has recovered a little and 10-year sovereign bond yields for the
area's peripheral states have come down from their record levels, but remain
punitively high. Yields edged higher on Tuesday, but the spread against the
German bund narrowed - suggesting the markets are beginning to believe the
euro nations will stick together.
[X][13] Share & bookmark
Delicious Facebook Google Messenger Reddit Twitter
Digg Fark LinkedIn Google Buzz StumbleUpon Y! Buzz
[What are these?][14]
* Share: [Share][13] [ ][15] [ ][16]
[Tweet][17]
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/8187396/Eurozone-members-
left-to-fend-off-markets-alone.html
Telegraph
## [Financial Crisis][18]
* ### [Europe »][19]
* ### [Finance »][20]
* ### [Markets »][21]
* ### [Business Latest News »][22]
* ### [EU »][23]
In finance
[![Truncheon-wielding police in Barcelona have clashed with protesters at a
makeshift camp that is one of dozens erected in Spain to protest at high
unemployment][24] ][25]
### [Spanish anti-crisis protests][25]
[![Thousands of protesters occupy Puerta del Sol square in Madrid][26] ][27]
### [Huge protests in Madrid][27]
[![Riot police use tear gas as protesters throw petrol bombs in Athens][28]
][29]
### [Tear gas and petrol bombs][29]
[![Irish bank stress tests: the key points][30] ][31]
### [Irish bank stress tests: key points][31]
[![Q&A: What is the Independent Commission on Banking?][32] ][33]
### [Q&A: What is the Independent Commission on Banking?][33]
[X][13] Share & bookmark
Delicious Facebook Google Messenger Reddit Twitter
Digg Fark LinkedIn Google Buzz StumbleUpon Y! Buzz
[What are these?][14]
Share:
* [ ][13]
* [ ][15]
* [ ][16]
* [Tweet][17]
* Advertisement
![][34]
telegraphuk
Please enable JavaScript to view the [comments powered by Disqus.][35] [blog
comments powered by Disqus][36]
[![][37]][38]
Advertisement
[Market Data »][39]
sponsored features
Loading
Finance Most Viewed
* TODAY
* PAST WEEK
* PAST MONTH
1. [Britain faces bleak two years after feeble economic growth][40]
2. [Look, even Sweden charges for healthcare][41]
3. [BMW blames speculators as aluminium costs rise][42]
4. [US consumers in spending retreat][43]
5. [Google sued by PayPal in Silicon Valley's mobile war][44]
1. [What happens when Greece defaults][45]
2. [Dominique Strauss-Kahn: DNA samples confirm sperm traces on maid's
dress][46]
3. [It's ever more obvious, Greece must leave the euro][47]
4. [Dominique Strauss-Kahn: new claims of sexual misconduct add to pressure
on former IMF chief][48]
5. [How the euro crisis end game might look][49]
1. [What happens when Greece defaults][45]
2. [Dominique Strauss-Kahn: IMF head 'hired prostitutes from Manhattan
madam'][50]
3. [Dominique Strauss-Kahn: DNA samples confirm sperm traces on maid's
dress][46]
4. [A tax-based alternative to the Alternative Vote][51]
5. [Dominique Strauss-Kahn: maid experienced 'extraordinary trauma'][52]
Advertisement
Classified Advertising
* [Services][53]
* [Fine Arts][54]
* [Sales Jobs][55]
Loading
[Find your ideal job with Telegraph Jobs][56]
var puffs_8120648 = new Array();