Analysis - Page 22 of 24

In Europe, a feeble rise in employment

The European Commission published a report on employment and social developments in Europe, on 15 January, where it is noted that more than nine million more are unemployed compared with 2008. The unemployment rate in the 28 EU member states reached 10.0% in November 2014, down from 10.7% in November 2013. Youth unemployment reached 21.9% in the EU and 23.7% in the euro area, compared with 23.2% and 23.9% respectively in November 2013. Unemployed young people under 25 are now 5.1 million in the EU, compared with 3.4 million in the Eurozone.

The imminent arrival of QE brings euro-dollar parity closer

The euro has depreciated relative to the US dollar to its lowest level in almost a decade. In the meantime, time is running out for the European Central Bank (ECB) to implement a massive purchase of sovereign bonds aimed at quelling the threat of deflation. This much-anticipated operation, called Quantitative Easing (QE), will most likely be officially announced by ECB president Mario Draghi at the upcoming meeting on 22 January. The European currency has plummeted this year under the 1.1747 dollar threshold, the exchange rate at which it was first introduced in 11 European countries on 1 January 1999. The euro continues to weaken after having lost 12% of its value relative to the US dollar in 2014, the sharpest annual fall since 2005.

Should Europe introduce tighter security measures after the Paris attacks?

Spain along with France and Germany push for introducing limits in passport-free travel within the Schengen area through national border ID checks.

Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović is the new Croatian President

Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović will become Croatia’s first female president following a narrow victory over the incumbent Ivo Josipović. This has been a male job ever since the country became independent after the breakup of Yugoslavia in 1991.

Big homework for small Latvia

Latvia’s six-month presidency of the Council of the European Union comes at “a critical time for Europe”, according to Jean-Claude Junker, President of the European Commission. In his visit to Riga on 7 January, Mr Junker welcomed Latvia’s Presidency and the country’s priorities for the upcoming semester.

Ukraine: the worst year since World War II

Nearly half a million Ukrainians have fled the country since April. More than 387,000 went to Russia, and among them most were Russian speakers from the east. The official count by the UN is 4707 dead since the Ukrainian revolution turned violent at the end of February 2014.

Lithuania now has the euro

Lithuania has become the 19th member of the euro joining its Baltic neighbours Estonia and Latvia. It is also expected to be the last to enter the monetary union for several years. This is a move with geopolitical and economic implications. The country comes on board the Eurozone with a growing economy.

Greece going into elections in strong anti-austerity climate

When the Greek conservative party failed to gather the necessary 180 votes to elect a president in the third parliamentary vote, snap elections were called, and the European press diagnosed a political crisis. Within days it became evident that this was not the case. Elections were set for 25 January.

Greece: Suspense Continues

The second round of voting for the election of a new president of Greece by the Greek parliament did not yield the necessary 200 votes. If the Parliament fails to elect a President in the third round, Greece will have general elections, with the left-wing Syriza party poised to obtain the majority of votes…

New leadership: Donald Tusk praised for efficiency

Taking over from Herman Van Rompuy, the former Polish prime minister is the first-ever president from a former Communist or Soviet state to take a top EU position since the 2004 enlargement. The summit was also the first formal occasion to showcase his English.