The Decentralization of the Electricity Grid-Mitigating Risk in the Energy Sector
Ms. Kirsten Verclas urges that nations such as the U.S. and Germany move to create more regional electricity grids to decrease vulnerability of their electricity supply. Centralized energy grids are …
Not in My Backyard: Communal Challenges to the Energiewende
In the aftermath of the Fukushima disaster in 2011, pollsters consistently found that a majority of Germans supported the closing of Germany’s remaining nuclear power plants. The anti-atomic sentiment culminated …
Credit Ratings for Seven German Banks Downgraded
On Wednesday, the international agency Moody’s downgraded the credit rating for seven German financial institutions. Commerzbank AG, Germany’s second largest bank, stands among the downgraded financial institutions. Some experts contend …
Rajoy’s Cautionary Tale
More than anybody else Spanish Prime minister Mariano Rajoy embodies what many euro zone members nation’ leaders are going through. Caught in a purgatory, suspended between the proud defense of national sovereignty, the need for Euro zone financial solidarity and the powerful drift towards closer political integration, he is struggling to find the right balance and avoid catastrophe. After months full of missteps, even the proud Spaniard seems to have finally realized that there will be no safety for his country without further transfers of power towards Brussels.
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Support Our WorkA Volkswagen “Pivot” toward China?
In 2011, Volkswagen AG (VW) delivered 2.3 million cars in China, accounting for 27 percent of its total sales by volume. The importance of the Chinese market to VW, coupled …
Energy Security Risk Assessment: A Transatlantic Comparison
Despite facing similar challenges, the United States and Germany continually diverge in their creation of energy policy. Mr. Aki Kachi argues that Germany pursues risk-averse energy policy, citing the nation’s …
Volkswagen Outpaces Economic Forecasts While Southern European Car Sales Dwindle
This week, Volkswagen (VW) announced wage increases for over 100,000 workers in six of its plants in western Germany. Representatives of IG Metall and upper management of VW reached this …
Overcoming the Euro Crisis
The euro crisis has come to a preliminary halt following the two massive liquidity injections by the European Central Bank (ECB) in December 2011 and February 2012. However, these ECB …
Redemption Fund or Eurobonds?
Judging from what the media have made of the latest gathering of European leaders in Brussels, it came close to a disaster. No decision about Eurobonds or growth was taken. …
Cameron Phones the Mainland
He has done it again. British Prime Minister David Cameron has publicly voiced his deep concerns about the euro zone. London now openly fears a breakup of the common currency …
A Discussion with Lothar Binding, Member of the SPD
AGI Senior Fellow Alexander Privitera sits down with Lothar Binding, member of the Bundestag’s Finance Committee for the SPD, to discuss the current state of the euro zone crisis and …
