What Is the Eurozone Debt Crisis?

The European Union, led by Germany and France, struggled to support these members with bailouts from the ECB (European Central Bank) and IMF (International Monetary Fund). These measures haven't been enough, allowing the crisis to threaten the existence of the euro itself.

Even worse, the European Central Bank (ECB) holds a lot of sovereign debt, so its future would be at risk. Without a central bank to bail its members out, the EU itself might not survive. Left unchecked, the rippling effect of uncontrolled sovereign debt defaults could create a recession, if not a global depression.

It would also be worse than the 1998 sovereign debt crisis. When Russia defaulted, other emerging market countries did too. However, the IMF stepped in, backed by the power of European countries and the U.S. This time, it's not the emerging markets, but the developed markets that are in danger of default. The major backers of the IMF -- Germany, France and the U.S. -- are themselves highly indebted. There would be little political appetite to add to that debt to fund the massive bailouts needed. If sovereign debt defaults were left unchecked, the resulting panic could cause a shutdown of credit, in which even the United States might have trouble funding its debt.

1. Launch quick-start programs to facilitate business start-ups.
2. Relax protections against wrongful dismissal.
3. Introduce "mini-jobs" with lower taxes.
4. Combine apprenticeship with vocational education targeted toward youth unemployment.
5. Create special funds and tax benefits to privatize state-owned businesses.
6. Establish special economic zones, like those in China.
7. Invest in renewable energy.

The six-point plant follows an intergovernmental treaty approved December 8, 2011. The EU leaders agreed to create a fiscal unity parallel to the monetary union that already exists. It's in the process of being approved by all EU members. The treaty was designed to enforce the budget restrictions of the Maastricht Treaty, reassure lenders that the EU would stand behind its members' sovereign debt, and allow the EU to act as a more integrated unit. Specifically, the treaty would create five changes:

1. Eurozone member countries would legally give some power over their budgets to centralized EU control.
2. Members that exceeded the 3% deficit-to-GDP ratio would face financial sanctions. Any plans to issue sovereign debt must be reported in advance.
3. The European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) is replaced by a permanent bailout fund, the European Stability Mechanism (ESM), effective July 2012. The permanent fund assures lenders that the EU would fully stand behind its members, substantially lowering the risk of default.
4. Voting rules in the ESM would allow emergency decisions to be passed with an 85% qualified majority. This allows the EU to act more quickly.
5. Eurozone countries would lend another €200 billion to the IMF from their central banks.

Second, eurozone countries must agree to cutbacks in spending. This could slow their economic growth, as it has in Greece. These austerity measures have been politically unpopular. Voters could bring in new leaders, who might leave the eurozone or the EU itself.

Third, a new form of financing -- the eurobond -- becomes available. The ESM would be funded by €700 billion in euro bonds, fully guaranteed by the eurozone countries. Like U.S. Treasuries, these bonds could be bought and sold on a secondary market. By competing with Treasuries, the eurobonds could lead to higher interest rates in the U.S. (Source: CNN, Will new deal solve Europe's problems?, December 9, 2011)

In addition, investors worry that austerity measures, needed in the long run, will only slow the economic rebound debtor countries need to repay their debts. (Source: CNBC, "S&P Says Eurozone May Need Another Shock", Euro Crisis Pits Germany and U.S. in Tactical Fight, December 12, 2011)

Second, eurozone countries initially benefited from the low interest rates and increased investment capital made possible by the euro's power. Most of this flow of capital was from Germany and France to the southern nations. This increased liquidity raised wages and prices, making their exports less competitive. Because they were on the euro, they couldn't do what most countries do to cool inflation -- raise interest rates or print less currency. Public spending rose, while tax revenues fell, during the recession to pay for unemployment and other benefits. (Source: New York Times, Paul Krugman, Killing the Euro. December 1, 2011)

Third, although there are good arguments for austerity measures, they might only slow economic growth by being too restrictive. For example, the OECD said austerity measures would make Greece more competitive by improving its public finance management and reporting, cutbacks on public employee pensions and wages, and lowering its trade barriers. In fact, exports have risen. More important, the OECD said Greece needed to crack down on tax dodgers, and sell off state-owned businesses, to raise funds. (Source: OECD, Economic Survey of Greece 2011)

In return for austerity measures, Greece's debt has been cut in half. However, these measures have also slowed the Greek economy by raising unemployment, cutting back consumer spending, and reducing capital needed for lending. Greek voters are getting fed up with the recession. They effectively shut down the Greek government by giving an equal number of votes to the "no austerity" Syriza party. Another election was held on June 17 that narrowly defeated Syriza. The new government is working to continue with austerity, rather than leave the eurozone. (Article updated July 19, 2012)