Budget Deficit
Bulgarian Protests As Sign of New Understanding of Values
The great wave of protests in Bulgaria continues to sweep the country. Experts regard the demonstrations as a sign of a new understanding of values.
July 25, 2013
Poland: Opposition Calls for Parliamentary Inquiry
PiS chief opposition calls for parliamentary inquiry into public finances.
July 24, 2013
Austria: Economists Predict Rosy Days
The Austrian economy will be growing by 1.7 percent on an annual basis and is developing much better than the rest of the Eurozone, the Austrian Institute for Higher Studies (IHS) predicts.
July 24, 2013
Poland: Dispute Between NBP and Finance Ministry
Finance Minister Jacek Rostowski and Governor of Polish National Bank Marek Belka are blaming each other for the poor performance of Poland´s economy.
July 23, 2013
Orban: Not Joining Eurozone in the Next Ten Years
Hungary´s Prime Minister thinks that his country should not become a member of the euro area in the medium term.
July 23, 2013
Poland: Economic Trend Reversal Likely
In the 1st half of 2013, together with still unfavourable business tendencies on global markets, the economic slowdown maintained in Poland. However, forecasts give reason for cautious optimism..
July 23, 2013
Poland to Enter the Eurozone in the Medium Term
The biggest new EU member country will become a member of the Eurozone, political observers say unanimously. The only question is when.
July 23, 2013
Poland: Budget Deficit to Peak in 2013
This year, Poland´s budget deficit is expected to reach 4.4% of GDP. The country still has a stable public sector, Moody´s comments.
July 22, 2013
CESEE Countries Show More Fiscal Discipline
Euro area government debt up to 92.2% of GDP. EU27 debt up to 85.9%. The debt increase in Hungary, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania and the Baltic countries was very decent or even negative.
July 22, 2013
Hypo Group Needs Even More Money
The nationalized Austrian bank needs fresh funds of more than € 700m. For the Austrian taxpayers, the banking package becomes more and more costly.
July 21, 2013
Poland Tries to Manage Fiscal Balancing Act
On the one hand, Poland´s government wants to keep an eye on the Maastricht Criteria. On the other hand, the economic growth would shrink even more without a fiscal stimulus.
July 18, 2013
Turkey Considers Economic Re-Orientation
The Turkish government wants to shift its economic focus from Europe to Asia.
July 18, 2013
IMF to Leave Hungary
Hungary´s National Bank MNB has called the IMF to close its representative office. Hungary wants to repay the loan facility provided by the IMF soon.
July 16, 2013
Czech Republic: Gloomy Prospects for Economy
The Czech economy is shrinking. According to experts, new Prime Minister Jiri Rusnok will not be able to change much. Enterprises have started to cut back on investments.
July 12, 2013
Fekter: Capital Aids for Hypo Included in Next Budgets
Finance Minister Maria Fekter sticks to it: „We will reach a zero deficit in 2016 and have a slight surplus in 2017,”she announced during the presentation of the economic report 2013 on Wednesday.
July 11, 2013
Austria: Rumors about Fekter Resigning as Finance Minister after Elections
Will Fekter become President of the National Council after the elections? In government circles speculations are circling about Finance Minister Fekter quitting her post as after the national elections in September.
July 10, 2013
Latvia: Joining the Eurozone
Lativa is becoming the 18th country in the Eurozone. The EU Economy and Finance Ministers have given their green light for the admission.
July 9, 2013
Fekter: Eurozone More Stable Than A Year Ago
Austrian Finance Minister Maria Fekter has described the condition of the Eurozone as “better” than compared to a year ago.
July 9, 2013
CEE Slowly Escapes Economic Crisis
Slovenia, Croatia and the Czech Republic have slipped into recession. Experts are particularly worried about the newest EU member.
July 4, 2013
Moody’s: Turmoils In Bulgaria Will Not Affect Fiscal Stability
According to rating agency Moody's, the ongoing political turmoil in Bulgaria is not expected to negatively affect the country's fiscal stability.
July 4, 2013
Hypo Group: CESEE Units to be Sold Until Mid-2015
The threatened compulsory sale of nationalized Hypo Alpe Adria Group by the EU Commission until the end of this year, was, according to information by the Finance Ministry, fended off. An additional burden of € 2bn might await the Austrian taxpayers.
July 1, 2013
Crisis in Slovenia Might Take Longer Than Expected
According to the latest economic report by auditing firm Ernst&Young;, the financial crisis in Slovenia will take longer than expected beforehand. However, the country should still be able to avoid international bailout.
July 1, 2013
Austrian Coalition to Take Stock of Legislative Period
In a joint interview with several leading Austrian newspapers, Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann and Deputy Chancellor and Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger take stock of the legislative period so far.
June 28, 2013
Latvia Joining The Eurozone As 18th Member
Today the heads of states and governments of the European Union gave their blessing to Latvia’s entry to the Eurozone in 2014.
June 28, 2013
Austrian Public Debt to Rise Further
Quarterly government debt first quarter 2013: € 231.6bn or 74.2 % of GDP.
June 28, 2013
Slovenia Likely To Require Bailout
According to Capital Economics Ltd. Slovenia will in all likelyhood ask for a bailout to bolster its ailing banking sector in case the debt crisis in Europe should worsen.
June 28, 2013
Leitl: „Austrian Enterprises Need Further Growth Impulses“
The Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKO) commits to budget consolidation but growth is the basis for a balanced state budget.
June 27, 2013
Austria: Government Agrees on Stimulus Package
Startled by construction company Alpine’s insolvency, the Austrian government has agreed on the fiercly discussed stimulus package. An amount of € 800m is required additionally.
June 25, 2013
Slovenia Expects Economic Recovery As Soon As 2014
On Saturday, the Slovenian Finance Ministry expressed its confidence that the newly adopted action plan would help stabilize public finances and help gain economic recovery despite of Fitch’s downgrade.
June 24, 2013
Slovenia’s Economic Outlook to Deteriorate Further
The Institute for Macroeconomic Analysis and Development expects GDP in Slovenia to shrink more than projected earlier.
June 21, 2013
Green Light for Latvia’s Euro Accession
The Eurogroup gave green light for the admission of Lativa to the common European currency.
June 21, 2013
Austria: „Death Blow for Economy“
The Austrian Economic Association (Wirtschaftsbund) announced that the realization of all demands in the Austrian Trade Unions’ (ÖGB) leading proposal would come at € 21.9bn. The Austrian economy would be burdened with € 14bn.
June 17, 2013
Serracchiani: „Will Do Everything I Can“
In an interview with Austrian newspaper “Kleine Zeitung“ Debora Serracchiani, new regional president of the province Friuli in Italy announced to do everything so that Hypo Group Italy will survive.
June 11, 2013
Slovenia: Huge Cuts in Complementary Budget
Foreign Ministry might be closed down since a 20 percent cut is proposed.
May 24, 2013
Success for Slovenian Bonds at US Market
Slovenia was able to gain some of the required funds for the restructuring of its banking sector through the US bond market.
May 3, 2013
„Slovenia Can Manage On Its Own“
In an interview with Austrian newspaper Kurier, President of the Slovenian Bankers Association France Arhar stresses that Slovenia is not the new Cyprus.
April 29, 2013
Slovenia: Situation For Banks Still Shaky
According to the National Bank, the new government in Slovenia needs to avoid becoming the new setting of bail-out negotiations with the EU after the banking crisis in Cyprus.
March 28, 2013
"Croatia Will Not Benefit From Joining The EU"
Croatia will join the European Union as the 28th member state in a few months. Economists criticize the country for not carrying out enough reforms and only focusing on tourism.
March 22, 2013
Hungary: In a Debt Crisis Soon?
New all-time high in debts was reported. Hungarian populations hopes for fast political turn-around.
March 22, 2013
Poland’s Finance Minister Shows Optimism
Deputy Finance Minister Majszczyk announced that Poland will not exeed the planned budget deficit and forcasts economic growth for the second half of the year.
March 22, 2013
Poland Sharpens Austerity Measures
In order to fulfill the Maastricht Criteria sustainably, Poland wants to reduce the budget deficit to 1.0% of GDP in 2015.
March 15, 2013
Turkey: Economic Imbalances Become More Visible
Unlike the Eurozone, Turkey´s economy still shows substantial growth rates. However, Turkey suffers from a number of structural weaknesses.
March 13, 2013
Hungary: GKI Forecasts Budget Deficit of HUF 200 bn
The Hungarian government is in complete opposite to GKI’s statement: forecasts economic growth of 1 % and does not see any concerns.
March 5, 2013
Czech Republic Eases Austerity Policy
In order to boost economic growth, the Czech government tends to refrain from the strict austerity course.
March 5, 2013
Latvia: Letter Requesting the Convergence Report is Signed
The Baltic country wants to become a member of the Eurozone by 2014.
March 5, 2013
Bulgaria: Eagles Briges Civic Association To Be Found in Sofia
Protesters are gathering in the Arena Armeets Hall to differentiate their pleas.
March 4, 2013
Belka and Rostowski “Time to Move Up a Gear”
Governor of NBP (National Bank of Poland) Marek Belka and Poland´s Minister of Finance Jacek Rostowski want to accelerate Poland´s approach to the Eurozone.
March 4, 2013
Bulgaria: Budget Balance Negative
The budget balance under the Consolidated Fiscal Programme (CFP) as of end-January 2013 is negative, amounting to BGN 536.5 million.
March 4, 2013
Austria: Government Adheres to Zero Deficit in 2016
Although the economic development is behind the expectations, the government wants to achieve a budget surplus in 2017.
March 2, 2013
Austria: Public Spending Ratio Forces Country to Reforms
Austria’s economy is stronger than the European average, however, it is still in need of reforms. Suggestions are made by head of WIFO Aiginger who demands a new strategy until 2025.
March 2, 2013
