Eying Election, Britain’s Conservatives Relax Austerity
George Osborne eases his austerity program and announces tax relief for low and middle incomes.
Europe
Dutch Ruling Parties Lose Majority in Senate
Early provincial election results show the Dutch ruling parties losing their majority in the Senate.
Polls Show Dutch Coalition Losing Senate Majority
The Netherlands’ ruling parties are likely to lose their majority in the Senate.
Transatlantic Relations Are Not a One-Way Street
America has reason to complain, but it can’t expect its European allies to fall in line every time.
Hungary Denies Europe Blocks Nuclear Deal with Russia
Hungary disputes reports that European regulators are blocking a nuclear fuel supply deal.
Sweden to Boost Defense, Remilitarize Gotland
Sweden will finance expanded submarine operations and a permanent military presence on Gotland.
Dutch, German Central Banks Criticize Quantitative Easing
The Dutch and Germans worry that “easy money” will discourage countries from reforming.
Resignations Cast Cloud Over Dutch “Teflon Premier”
Mark Rutte’s ability to emerge unscathed from scandals is starting to wear thin.
Britain’s Conservatives Ahead of Labour in Recent Polls
Prime Minister David Cameron’s party has pulled ahead of Labour in recent surveys.
With Threats, Leaders Push Greece Closer to Euro Exit
Greece’s attempts to extort its Northern European creditor states is testing their patience to the limit.
In Italy, Berlusconi Comeback Seems Farfetched
The political right is divided. Italians are altogether tired of the former prime minister.
France Rewarded for Reforms, Gets More Time to Cut Spending
European finance ministers give France two more years to bring down its deficit.
Greece’s Migrants Threat Rubs Dutch, Germans Wrong Way
Greece’s threat to flood the continent with migrants has outraged Northern Europe.
Nuclear Submarines No Deal Breakers for Scottish Nationalists
The Scottish National Party says it could support a Labour government on an “issue-by-issue” basis.
Juncker’s European Army Is Not Going to Happen
Nobody other than the president of the European Commission is interested in militarizing the EU.