The ECB and the Fed

By: Charles Wyplosz, Graduate Institute of International Studies

Facing different situations, the Fed and the ECB muddle through, each in its own way.

The case against a Grand Coalition in 2009

By: Wolfgang Münchau

Forget all this hogwash about the responsibility of the cenrtre. Grand coalitions are undemocratic.

EU Commission plans desposit insurance directive

Plans to raise minimum protection level to €40,000; the oil price dropped below $125pb, and other commodities have also fallen sharply; Almunia criticises Sarkozy’s plans for the ECB; and Jose Manuel Barroso, meanwhile, says he wants to stay president of the European Commission beyond next year.

How to deal with Spain and Ireland?

By: Wolfgang Münchau

This is possibly the worst time to bash the ECB. The biggest risk to the euro area aera economy is a meltdown of the Spanish economy, something which the ECB can do nothing about. We need to consider a quid-pro-quo IMF style liquidity injection into the Spanish economy in exchange for assurances on policy changes.

The French EU presidency - a bumpy road ahead

By: Daniela Schwarzer, SWP and Eurozone Watch

Since the Irish voted against the Lisbon Treaty, France’s political priorities for its six months EU Presidency seem overly ambitious and slightly out of touch with the overall political situation in the EU. The success of the French presidency depends crucially on Sarkozy's capacity to moderate a way out of the current deadlock situation and to refrain from polarising his allies.

The consequences of non-ratification

By: Wolfgang Münchau

Can a country be excluded from membership of the European Union? The answer is yes as long as there was a political will. This column explains on how this can be done, in all its gory detail.

Ireland is wrong to put its miracle at risk

By: Wolfgang Münchau

After a week of what European leaders call reflection, another Irish referendum beckons, to be held early next year. Without it, there might well be an attempt to oust the Irish from the European Union.