Agora
Posts by Jens Bastian
Is post-election just pre-election in Greece?
Now that the ballots from Greece’s triple election marathon have been counted, the focus of debates is shifting towards policy implications, expected cabinet reshuffles and demands for yet more elections. Any observer of Greek politics in Berlin, Paris or Brussels would be at pains to comprehend what kind of post-election narrative this constitutes.
Contributor: Jens Bastian
Categories: Europe (282), Politics (387), Economy (331), Greece (498)
Greek elections as seen (or imagined) from Berlin
The following is a thought experiment, which claims no more authenticity than being an exercise in the “What if?” At the core of this experiment is the question, what would various people inside the Chancellery in Berlin be thinking in terms of possible post-election scenarios in Greece following Sunday’s voting marathon?
Contributor: Jens Bastian
Categories: Europe (282), Politics (387), Greece (498)
Politics trumping economic prudence in Greece
The politics of the Greek recovery narrative is consistently trumping prudence. For those who refuse to be blindsided by the staged recovery euphoria there is enough evidence on the ground in Athens to be concerned about during the past week.
Contributor: Jens Bastian
Categories: Politics (387), Economy (331), Greece (498)
![Photo by Can Esenbel [http://www.mundanepleasure.com/]](resources/toolip/img-thumb/2013/10/16/stocks2_economy_esenbel-large.jpg "Photo by Can Esenbel [http://www.mundanepleasure.com/]")
Who benefits from Greece’s return to the markets?
Now that the euphoria is beginning to die down let’s take a second, more sober look at what Greece achieved last week when the investment community hailed the country’s return to the markets. Politicians from Prime Minister Antonis Samaras’s government were quick to join the chorus of cheerleaders, with impressive support from members of the media and market analysts.
Contributor: Jens Bastian
Categories: Economy (331), Greece (498)
Does return to markets signal end of Greek crisis? The perils of ignoring macro-economic fundamentals
Politics today is the art of shaping a narrative, with the overriding preference being for one that is in harmony with markets and investors. This narrative is currently being formulated in real time in Greece. It is centred on the much anticipated return of the Greek sovereign to international bond markets.
Contributor: Jens Bastian
Categories: Europe (282), Politics (387), Economy (331), Greece (498)