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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. - -

Italy needs to focus on its productivity growth

Without an improvement in productivity growth, I cannot see how Italy can prosper in the eurozone or reduce its public debt, says Wolfgang Münchau

Global adjustment will be long and painful

Beware multiple crises could easily return like a bloodstained villain in a horror movie who rises to fight his last battle, writes Wolfgang Münchau

The princess’s cake gets an added crunch

Since poorer people spend a higher proportion of income on food and petrol than the middle-classes, the inflation rise hits them hard, writes Wolfgang Münchau

Pessimism about the eurozone is misplaced

Maybe we are now living in a world where the US is catching a cold and the Europeans are sneezing, says Wolfgang Münchau

Central banks must care about house prices

The International Monetary Fund’s analysis is correct. The residential property market drives the business cycle, writes Wolfgang Münchau

Do not be alarmed by Icelandic whispers

On many indicators, Iceland is a sound economy, even if there are weaknesses that hamper monetary policy, says Wolfgang Münchau

This crisis could bring the euro centre-stage

A simulation shows that the euro could replace the dollar as the world’s largest reserve currency within 10 or 15 years, writes Wolfgang Münchau

Sarkozy’s reforms must reach beyond taxi licences

France is still full of absurd restrictive practices for which the president’s party has a great deal to answer, writes Wolfgang Münchau

Central bankers cannot stop this contagion

For as long as the world’s financial crisis persists, interest rates will be determined by toxic market conditions, not central bankers, writes Wolfgang Münchau

A crisis in store for Spain’s election victor

Wolfgang Münchau

Britain can no longer depend on being cool

Two nails in the coffin of German corporatism

A repeat of the Great Depression is unlikely

Italy’s crisis offers a chance for change

Expect the eurozone to show some resistance

America’s recession will be hard to shift

This is not merely a subprime crisis

The credit revolution looks to the long-term

Prepare for a global economic downturn

Hold tight, the central banks have no plan