We investigate the bilateral relationship between government budget balances and current account balances for Portugal and Germany. We find that the response of the current account balance to the budget balance is greater in Portugal than in Germany. On the other hand, the response of the budget...

"On the 25th January 2015, the Greek people voted in an election of historic importance--not just for Greece but potentially all of Europe. The radical party Syriza was elected and austerity and the neoliberal agenda challenged. Suddenly it seems as if there is an alternative. But what? The...

This book, edited and researched by experts at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), looks at fiscal adjustment plans in advanced economies, comparing the planned or projected reductions in debts and deficits to the actual outcomes. It also looks at whether spending exceeded expectations or...

This paper investigates Germany's vulnerability to the ongoing Euroland crisis. In 2010-11, Germany experienced a strong rebound from the global financial crisis of 2008-09. The Euroland crisis then meant record low interest rates and a depressed euro that boosted German extra-area exports. But...