About: ESM

Germany proposes tough conditions for ‘European IMF’

Germany's plans for a "European Monetary Fund" to help eurozone states in difficulty would set strict eligibility criteria that shut out those who are failing to tackle high national debt.

Italy’s ‘unprecedented’ breach of fiscal rules clouds euro summit

Euro-area leaders agreed on Thursday (18 October) to accelerate the work to bolster the monetary union as the European Commission questioned half a dozen member states’ efforts to balance their public accounts, particularly Italy.

Macron wins Merkel’s backing on budget for eurozone

French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday (19 June) won German Chancellor Angela Merkel's backing for reforms that are aimed at bolstering the eurozone against crises, including a vaunted budget for the bloc.

IMF demands €100 billion from Germany for eurozone safeguard

The IMF has a big plan: A multi-billion rainy day fund is meant to strengthen the euro. According to the proposal, Germany alone is supposed to pay €10 billion per year for a 10-year period. EURACTIV Germany’s media partner "WirtschaftsWoche” reports.

Post-election Germany: An iron chancellor with a liberal sidekick?

If the liberal FDP enters a coalition with the conservative CDU in Berlin, Merkel and Schäuble will have to adapt their plans for the future of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM). EURACTIV Germany's partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.

Germany warned against eurozone reform complacency ahead of election

The political will to keep the eurozone together is eroding inexorably, warns Leo Hoffmann-Axthelm from Transparency International. In an interview, he reminds German politicians about their responsibility in the eurozone crisis, calling for vital governance reforms to be adopted after the September election.

Transparency International: German criticism of ECB ‘a tad dishonest’

As Germany prepares for general elections in September, Leo Hoffmann-Axthelm reminds about Berlin’s responsibility in the politicisation of the European Central Bank (ECB), saying it is largely due to German inaction during the Eurozone crisis.

Schäuble preparing EU bailout fund reform proposal

German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble is working on a proposal that would allow southern eurozone countries to tap into the single currency bloc's bailout fund to boost investments during recessions, a newspaper reported on Wednesday (23 August).

Eurozone to mull Greek debt relief once reforms take place

Eurozone governments will consider medium-term debt relief for Greece as promised in a statement in May 2016 once Athens implements the reforms it agreed to earlier this week, a eurozone official said on Thursday (4 May).

Eurozone chief backs German calls for ‘a European IMF’

The European Stability Mechanism (ESM) – the eurozone's bailout fund – should ultimately be turned into a European version of the International Monetary Fund IMF, according to the head of eurozone finance ministers.

German SPD says Europe can back Athens without the IMF

In an interview with Süddeutsche Zeitung, Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) deputy chairman Carsten Schneider insisted that the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) participation in the Greek bailout was not necessary. EURACTIV Greece reports.

Eurozone puts Greek debt relief on hold in Christmas bonus row

Lenders put a short-term debt relief deal for Greece on hold yesterday (14 December) after the Athens government proposed a one-off payout to pensioners, the eurozone bailout fund ESM said.

IMF: Greece doesn’t need more austerity, cuts went too far

Greece does not need more austerity at this time, and in fact spending cuts have gone too far already, two senior International Monetary Fund officials said Monday (12 December).

Austerity-hit citizens allowed to sue troika, ECJ rules

The European Court of Justice has ruled that EU citizens can now sue the troika if they believe their fundamental rights have been violated by austerity. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Schäuble wants to increase cooperation among member states following Brexit

German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble wants to deepen cooperation between the 27 remaining European Union countries after Britain quits with measures that include a joint asylum policy, Der Spiegel reported on Friday (1 July).

Eurozone hopes for Greece debt deal on 24 May

Eurozone finance ministers yesterday (9 May) gave themselves until 24 May to reach a deal on debt relief and unlocking bailout cash for Greece as they lauded Athens for passing tough reforms.

A budget for the eurozone is taking shape

Budgetary capacities are an important tool to protect the eurozone from economic shocks, and their extension to non-eurozone countries could help with the economic convergence of the newer member states, writes Siegfried Muresan.

Greece’s creditors demand further reforms

The European institutions and the IMF are increasing their demands on Greece, despite the recent reforms adopted by the Greek parliament. Athens can hardly afford to resist. Our partner La Tribune reports.

ESM chief: Grexit still possible

Greece runs the risk of having to withdraw from the eurozone if it does not comply with its payment and reform obligations, says the European Stability Mechanism's Managing Director, Klaus Regling. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Juncker: ‘I don’t think the Greek people have been humiliated’

“I don’t think the Greek people have been humiliated and I don't think that the other Europeans are losing their faith,” said European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on Monday (13) July).

Tsipras faces the heat of the EU machine

Alexis Tsipras found himself under enormous pressure today (8 July), as he was attacked by representatives of the institutions, centre, and centre-right MEPs.

Gabriel: Germany wants Greece in the eurozone

The German government wants Greece to stay in the eurozone and there are no contingency plans to the contrary, Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel said yesterday (4 January), responding to a media report that Berlin believes the currency union could cope without Greece.

Socialists, Liberals bicker over Juncker’s multi-billion investment plan

As European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker prepares to unveil a €300 billion plan to boost investment in the Union, the liberal ALDE and the Socialists in Parliament tabled alternative proposals, stoking controversy amongst themselves.

Eurozone backs ESM credit line for Greece after bailout exit

Eurozone finance ministers backed a precautionary credit line for Greece on Thursday (6 November), after the country exits its bailout at the end of the year, in a bid to balance the need to reassure investors with the demands of Greek politics.