Europe in crisis : the CPB on debts and the future of the euro ; general conclusions

In the book, the authors explain in a comprehensible way how it was possible for the current crisis to arise and what the most important measures are to ensure a similar crisis is avoided in future. The debt burden of the, in general, southern eurozone countries is not exclusively the consequence of out-of-control government budgets; the private sector had also accrued considerable debts, for example via investments in property in Spain and Ireland. Banks in the northern eurozone countries also contributed by lending too much money to the eurozone countries concerned. Better banking regulation in the eurozone is, therefore, essential. Nor is transferring power free of commitment for the Netherlands. At the moment, the Netherlands is on the "good" side of the crisis; but that could change in the future. The Netherlands has a large financial sector and extensive mortgage debts. Prescriptions concerning the retirement age or the right of dismissal could, for example, have consequences for our country. Unlike most CPB publications, this book has been written for a wide public. The euro crisis is seriously impacting our daily lives and could have far-reaching consequences for our future prosperity. Everyone should have the chance to be well-informed, so that the discussion about the future of Europe can be conducted among a wider public. The CPB hopes this book will contribute to imparting this information.