-à-vis the core EU member states (EU-15) over the period 1990-2006. Specifically, we focus on whether there is a shift towards …

We model EU countries' bank ratings using financial variables and allowing for intercept and slope heterogeneity. Our … aim is to assess whether "old" and "new" EU countries are rated differently and to determine whether "new" ones are … intercepts) are a crucial determinant of ratings. Whilst "new" EU countries typically have lower ratings than "old" ones, after …

This paper discusses the eastward enlargement process of the EU in the framework of a simple war of attrition … bargaining game. Both players - the existing EU members and the applicants - benefit from enlargement, yet for the applicants … reform to the acquis is costly, while the EU prefers substantially reformed candidates. A waiting game unfolds. Within this …