by Nuno Monteiro and Eduardo Sousa
Guardian
May 19, 2011
While a growing number of analysts recognise the likelihood of sovereign-debt defaults across Europe's periphery in the next few years, the continent's political and financial elites continue to see restructuring as the third rail of financial options. Despite all signs that the euro may be set on an implosion course, the EU and the European Central Bank (ECB) are in a state of denial.
As we have recently argued – and, in response to our readers, here – the most likely scenario is that Greece and Ireland default on their debts over the next few years, with Portugal soon following, dragging Spain into the circle of the damned. But instead of facing this likely state of affairs, Europe's top leaders remain obdurate in placing the burden of the crisis entirely on the shoulders of the highly indebted countries' taxpayers. Every time a eurozone default is mentioned, European political leaders – and the bankers whose money is at risk – come out in force against a serious discussion of the topic, in a short-sighted attempt to keep the sinking bailout ship afloat.
This wall of silence creates a false polarisation between a solution that burdens solely debtors and another that punishes only creditors. It pretends there is no middle ground and, by doing so, prevents a serious discussion on how to design and implement a restructuring plan. But by refusing to explore this middle ground and develop softer options in case bailout packages fail, Europe's statesmen are increasing the likelihood of a hard, unstructured and unmanaged default by Europe's peripheral countries, with severe effects for European and global markets, including the possible breakup of the euro.
More
No comments:
Post a Comment