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Wolfgang Munchau

Wolfgang Munchau is an associate editor of the Financial Times, where he writes a weekly column about the European Union and the European economy. Before taking up this position in September 2003, he was co-editor of Financial Times Deutschland, the German daily financial newspaper, for two years.

Before joining FT Deutschland, Mr Munchau was a Frankfurt correspondent and later economics correspondent of the Financial Times, reporting on the preparation for the final stage of monetary union and the launch of the Euro. Between 1988 and 1995 he held several posts at The Times newspaper, including Washington and Brussels correspondent. In 1989 he was a recipient of the Wincott Young Financial Journalist of the Year award. He holds an M.A. in International Journalism (City University) and Diplom-Betriebswirt (Reutlingen). His column appears on Mondays. - -

A Franco-German marriage of convenience

The need for France and Germany to pull together is ever more obvious to an increasing number of people in both countries, writes Wolfgang Münchau

How to pick a new leader for Europe

The job thus defined is going to be very hard, perhaps impossible, to fill. It would require an exceptional political figure, and I struggle to put forward a name. I have my doubts about all the names in public discussion, writes Wolfgang Münchau

We must not be too late with starting the Big Exit

If we stick to the zero interest rate policy for too long, we risk a degree of economic instability much more extreme and costly than the recent financial crisis, writes Wolfgang Münchau

A polite discourse on bankers and bubbles

I suspect we are in another bubble in the global equity, bonds and commodity markets. Central banks should be prepared to prick them before they cause calamity, writes Wolfgang Münchau

Countdown to the next crisis is already under way

We should not see inflation and deflation as opposite scenarios, but as sequential ones. We could be in for extreme price instability, in both directions, as central banks lose control, says Wolfgang Münchau

Making the case for a weaker dollar

Imagine a world with a small current account deficit in the US, a somewhat larger deficit in the eurozone and a not too excessive Asian surplus. In the long run, such a world would require significant reform of the monetary system. But in the short term, a fall in the dollar would help, writes Wolfgang Münchau

Diverging deficits could fracture the eurozone

What is happening in Europe? France and Germany are both guilty of flouting the most important economic policy rule of the Maastricht treaty, writes Wolfgang Münchau

A recognition of the deep roots of the crisis

We are still a long way from effectively dealing with the underlying causes of the crisis, but global imbalances have finally made it on to the agenda of the G20 summit, says Wolfgang Münchau

Much is at stake in the German election

There seems little enthusiasm for the forthcoming poll but there are matters of great importance to be decided, writes Wolfgang Münchau

A pre-crisis treaty for a post-crisis world

I am an unenthusiastic supporter of the Lisbon treaty, but the Irish Yes campaign could once again find itself in a tight spot, writes Wolfgang Münchau

Europe’s failure of ambition stunts growth

Central banks can adapt to life below zero

How toxic finance created an unstable world

There is no easy way out for central banks

Blair and Barroso: Europe’s team from hell

Berlin has dealt a blow to European unity

Liquidity injections alone are not enough

Germany and France need to sing in tune

Berlin weaves a deficit hair-shirt for us all

Optimism is not enough for a global recovery