Mish/ Mike Shedlock – Europe’s Most Dangerous Politicians: Angela Merkel, Francois Hollande, David Cameron, Jean-Claude Juncker, Jose Barosso, Mario Monti, Herman Van Rampuy – 13 August 2012

Der Spiegel has published an inane article about Europe’s 10 Most Dangerous Politicians.

Top 10 List

1. Markus Söder, Bavarian Finance Minister: The politician from the Christian Social Union, the conservative sister party to Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union, is known for his tub-thumping rhetoric and has stepped up a gear in the euro crisis with vitriolic comments about Greece. “An example must be made of Athens, that this euro zone can show teeth,” he told the Bild am Sonntag tabloid newspaper this week.

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Mish/ Mike Shedlock – Socialists Score Well In First Round Of French Parliamentary Elections, Poised To Take Control Of Assembly And Senate For First Tiem Ever; Economically Insane Ideas Coming Up – 11 June 2012

Be prepared for the Socialists to wreck France. The Guardian reports French Socialists on course to score absolute majority in parliament and President François Hollande is about to get a free hand in his response to country’s economic crisis.

The left has scored well in the first round of French parliamentary elections, leaving the Socialist party within reach of an absolute majority that would give François Hollande, the president, a free hand in his approach to dealing with the economic crisis.

Mish / Mike Shedlock – Gaffe? What Gaffe? Greek Polls? All Over The Place – 27 May 2012

I am amused by the Financial Times headline Tsipras shrugs off gaffe about Hollande.

When Evangelos Venizelos, the Greek socialist leader, boarded a 7.30am flight to Paris on Tuesday, only his closest aides knew he was on the way to a hastily arranged meeting with the French president.

Mish/ Mike Shedlock – Germany Rules Out Eurobonds For 104th Time; Damned If They Do, Damned If They Don’t – 23 May 2012

I have no idea what the actual number of times Germany Has ruled out Eurobonds. It could be 504 or even 1004. I Made up the number 104 which simply means “a lot”.

Nonetheless, the Eurobond idea resurfaces every other week or so, and every time, someone from Germany (typically Merkel, the Bundesbank, or the Finance Minister) rules them out.

Paul O’Brien And Ann Cahill – Germans Put Off Ratifying EU Fiscal Treaty – 11 May 2012

Germans put off ratifying EU fiscal treaty

The Government insists it will proceed with the fiscal treaty referendum even though Germany is delaying its ratification as the fallout from the French and Greek elections continues.

A spokesman for Taoiseach Enda Kenny said the referendum would proceed as planned, saying: “We’re looking forward to a positive outcome on May 31.”

Lucas – A Greek Paradox And A French Sleeper – 7 May 2012

Strange to read about the Greek opposition to Europe and the austerity  winning, but not really winning. Due to the Greek electorial system the winning party in the elections, gets 50 seats in the Parliament extra.

This makes that though the “winners” still lose in a paradox. The Greeks win nothing and lose only in time. The not “winning” but still largest party is just one seat short of forming a government. But the other parties the real “winners” will not help to get a majority for sure.

So this will soon become a stalemate. And after a couple of attempts to form a government new elections have to decide again what will happen.

NO win NO gain.

BBC News – Socialist Francois Hollande Wins French Presidency – 6 May 2012

Socialist Francois Hollande has been elected as France’s new president.

He got about 52% of votes in Sunday’s run-off, according to early projections, against 48% for centre-right incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy.

Mr Sarkozy has admitted defeat, saying: “Francois Hollande is the president of France and he must be respected.”

Analysts say the vote has wide implications for the whole eurozone. Mr Hollande has vowed to rework a deal on government debt in member countries.

(Read the whole story : http://www.bbc.co.uk/news link to original article)