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Eurozone crisis

December 2, 2012

As the crisis in Europe's single currency continues, DW examines the background and consequences, and charts leaders' attempts to bring the continent through economically tough times.

https://p.dw.com/p/161GV
ILLUSTRATION - Funken einer Wunderkerze fliegen am Montag (08.08.2011) in Hannover über einer Euro-Münze. Neben den Kursrutschen auf den weltweiten Aktienmärkten sorgt die europäische Schuldenkrise derzeit für zusätzlichen Zündstoff. Nur drei Wochen nach dem jüngsten Euro-Krisengipfel wird schon wieder über die Bewältigung der Krise gestritten. Die Europäische Zentralbank signalisierte am Sonntagabend den Ankauf von spanischen und italienischen Staatsanleihen. Foto: Julian Stratenschulte dpa/lni
Euro in FlammenImage: picture alliance / dpa

Many commentators have remarked that the ongoing crisis in the eurozone is the worst the continent has faced since World War II. Others have made comparisons to the global financial crisis of the 1930s.

DW examines the background and long-term consequences of the ongoing threat to the European single currency. Will it survive? What will happen to its member countries?

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Reports & Analysis

Spanish Economy Minister Luis de Guindos Jurado, left, talks with German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble, during the Eurogroup meeting, at the European Council building in Brussels, Monday, Dec. 3, 2012. Details of a plan for Greece’s to reduce its heavy debt by buying some of it back at bargain prices will be presented Monday in Brussels to finance ministers from the 17 European Union countries that use the euro. (Foto:Yves Logghe/AP/dapd)

Euro handout

Eurogroup finance ministers green-light more money for Greece and Spain.
December 4, 2012
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Study: 'Grexit' could spark domino effect

A Greek exit from the eurozone could trigger a "wildfire" across Europe - and potentially worldwide - according to a study released by Germany's Bertelsmann Foundation on Wednesday.
October 17, 201200:49 min
Skepticism as to the cost of the bailout is called for, says Riegert

No choice

There was no alternative to approving the latest funds for Greece, writes DW's Bernd Riegert.
November 30, 2012
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Schäuble proposes new steps to end crisis

The German Finance Minister has outlined new measures aimed at ending the eurozone debt crisis. Under the proposals the EU currency commissioner would receive new powers and the EU parliament would be strengthened.
October 16, 201201:37 min
A euro coin in front of parliament in Athens Photo: Hannibal/dpa +++(c) dpa - Bildfunk+++

Debt deal

Former Greek Foreign Minister Dimitrios Droutsas urges debt relief for Greece.
November 30, 2012
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IMF wants a better balance of austerity and growth # 13.10.2012 14 Uhr # iwf 12f # journal englisch

188 member states of the International Monetary Fund said on Saturday that global economic growth had slowed and called for more effective measures to restore confidence. The announcement came in the final communiqué of the annual meetings of the IMF and the World Bank in Tokio. The IMF's steering committee also said that further steps, including a banking union, were needed to bring the eurozone crisis under control.
October 13, 201200:53 min
European flags are displayed on November 13, 2012 at the EU Headquarters in Brussels prior to the start of a meeting of European Union finance ministers to discuss ways to bolster the EU's flagging economy after reviewing Greece's debt bailout programme. AFP PHOTO GEORGES GOBET (Photo credit should read GEORGES GOBET/AFP/Getty Images)

Never-ending saga

The Euro Group takes a renewed stab at the next bailout for Greece.
November 26, 2012
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ESM launched

On a big day for Europe, Eurozone Finance Ministers met in Luxembourg for the start of a two-day meeting. The talks will focus on Greece's debt situation and Spain's budget cuts, but there was cause for celebration as the European Stability Mechanism, a 700 billion euro permanent bailout fund, was launched.
October 8, 201201:19 min
Baustelle EU. Baustellenschild vor einer Baustelle am Rond point Schuman, Brüssel. Im Hintergrund das Gebäude des Europäischen Rates, Ratsgebäude Justus Lipsius, Aufgenommen am 22.11.2012 in Brüssel. Foto: Bernd Riegert, DW

Marathon haggle

It's a long time since the EU has argued over money with such vigor - and they could get nowhere.
November 22, 2012
A Greek euro coin on a European flag Photo: Jens Büttner dpa/lmv

Greek help?

European finance ministers fail to agree on the best way to help Greece survive its debt crisis.
November 21, 2012
Eiffel tower Bild: Fotolia/Ralf Gosch #22031787

The pace of change

The German government urges France to push ahead with greater economic reforms.
November 13, 2012
European flags are displayed at the EU Headquarters in Brussels (GEORGES GOBET/AFP/Getty Images)

Talks collapse

Negotiations on the 2013 EU budget have collapsed - back to square one.
November 13, 2012
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