Eurobonds
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Democracy: Dare to be a little more Swiss!
1 May 201386742 Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung Frankfurt -
Who’s afraid of Germany? (4): Merkel’s Nein is wrecking the EU
24 November 201126016 Die Tageszeitung Berlin -
Eurozone crisis: Only Eurobonds can save us
24 November 201114210 El Mundo Madrid -
European integration: Forward the euro - without Germany
18 August 201131818 The Times London -
Debt Crisis: Strong demand for EFSF bonds
26 January 2011PresseuropLes Echos -
Debt Crisis: Are eurobonds the cure-all?
11 January 2011130 La Vanguardia Barcelona
The EU would do well to take on a little more direct democracy. Switzerland’s example shows that more citizen involvement in deciding on and control the country’s policy can make for a leaner state and lower debt. An EU-wide referendum on euro bonds, however, would be a mistake.
Alone against all, the Chancellor says ‘No’ to a supporting mandate for the ECB and ‘No’ to common euro bonds. In Germany too, more and more experts are warning that her firm stance on discipline and rules is plunging the eurozone into chaos.
The measure demanded by most European partners and supported by the European Commission still meets with stiff opposition from Germany. But Berlin cannot indefinitely block the launch of Eurobonds, which increasingly appear to be the only solution to the debt crisis.
Despite France and Germany's apparent agreement in recent talks, their visions of Europe's future are very different. Germany has now become the main obstacle on the road to integration, argues a Times columnist: it is time for France to take the lead in Europe and leave its partner behind.
The idea hatched late last year of creating EU-wide bonds is gaining ground. Though flatly rejected by Germany, it looks like an effective means of bolstering overindebted countries besieged by the markets.