Emmanuel Macron’s ascent to the French presidency is stoking an election-year fight over the euro in Germany, as the Social Democrats tell Chancellor Angela Merkel his resounding victory is the signal for her to dump fiscal austerity in Europe.
Trailing in the polls, the SPD is trying to turn Macron’s victory into a campaign weapon to energize its pro-European base behind Martin Schulz, the former European Parliament president who’s challenging Merkel in the Sept. 24 election. It’s the revival of a push by the Social Democrats, Merkel’s junior coalition partner, and allies who say the balanced-budget policies championed by Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble are bad for Europe.
“Macron doesn’t want Germany’s money, he wants its solidarity,” Marcel Fratzscher, head of the DIW economic institute in Berlin, said by email. “Germany finally needs to accept more responsibility for Europe. The government’s rejectionist stance will lead to another crisis if the necessary European reforms aren’t finally addressed.”
DAX Subdued as Markets Look for Guidance from Draghi Speech
Pick your poison: What is the Market Focusing On?
Gold Slide Continues as Risk Aversion Fades After French Election
This article is for general information purposes only. It is not investment advice or a solution to buy or sell securities. Opinions are the authors; not necessarily that of OANDA Corporation or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers or directors. Leveraged trading is high risk and not suitable for all. You could lose all of your deposited funds.
Craig Erlam
Latest posts by Craig Erlam (see all)
- Market Insights Podcast (Episode 120) - 07/10/2020
- Week Ahead – Bring on Earnings Season - 07/10/2020
- European Open – A Testing Day For Stocks - 07/10/2020