European Debt Crisis

Moody’s ratings agency warned of a downgrade on French debt, saying the move could worsen France’s finances by creating “a polarized political environment.”

With eurozone inflation falling, the European Central Bank has signaled it is ready to lower rates this week, diverging from the U.S. Federal Reserve.

More than a decade after painful austerity, Greece, Portugal and Spain have been growing faster than traditional powerhouses like Germany.

Spain is the latest European country to end its program, which brought in billions of euros from real estate investors seeking residency status but worsened a housing crisis for locals.

The economy shrank last year and is not predicted to grow much in 2024. Farmers are angry, industrial output is falling and the government is bickering.

As the executive of the European Union for a decade, he oversaw its increasing economic integration and led the drive for a single currency, the euro.

Next year could see increasing volatility as persistent military conflicts and economic uncertainty influence voting in national elections across the globe.

A war in the Middle East could complicate efforts to contain inflation at a time when world output is “limping along.”

It is one of Europe’s fastest-growing economies, and while investors and tourists are flocking to the country, memories of austerity measures are still fresh for Greeks.

He served for 38 years in Parliament and, after being elected president at a critical moment in Italy’s fortunes, helped stabilize the country.