Europe’s economic problems will be pushed off of the front pages, at least while the East Coast braces for Hurricane Sandy and its aftermath. But the bailout of Greece is in real trouble. The coalition that runs Greece has begun to fall apart. Not all members agree to the nature of cuts in jobs and worker pay. And the International Monetary Fund and European Union have insisted on austerity measures that will make deep cuts necessary. The standoff could cost Greece its next aid payment and raises, for the umpteenth time, the possibility of default.
The bailout of Spain also has been rocked by disagreements about its size and the extent to which the nation will agree to enforcement of its budget by its neighbors. Efforts to get Spain to accept a massive aid package have gone nowhere in the past few days. According to Reuters:
Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti meets Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy on Monday and while little is expected from the meeting, some expect Italy to keep pushing Spain to seek a bailout as it would lower borrowing costs for other peripheral euro zone countries.
Douglas A. McIntyre
Get Ready To Retire (Sponsored)
Start by taking a quick retirement quiz from SmartAsset that will match you with up to 3 financial advisors that serve your area and beyond in 5 minutes, or less.
Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests.
Here’s how it works:
1. Answer SmartAsset advisor match quiz
2. Review your pre-screened matches at your leisure. Check out the advisors’ profiles.
3. Speak with advisors at no cost to you. Have an introductory call on the phone or introduction in person and choose whom to work with in the future
Get started right here.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.