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.

Fannie and Freddie on the rope

By: Wolfgang Münchau

When house price are expected to decline by 30%, some strange things are happening

European Parliament wants ECB to change inflation target

Beres and Langen propose higher target, target band, plus official inflation forecast; Trichet rejects the idea; also hints that second-round effects are finally happening; oil price falls below $130, though no consensus on what this means; Belgium’s King Albert II, meanwhile, rejects the resignation of Yves Leterme, and appoints mediators.

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.

It’s democracy, stupid!

By: Stefan Collignon and Christan Paul

In this article, the authors advocate a "coalition of the willing" to form a truly democratic political union.