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Last Updated:
2024-09-22 08:21:10

European Debt Crisis

European Debt Crisis
European Debt Crisis
European Debt Crisis
European Debt Crisis

The European debt crisis, also known as the eurozone crisis, was a multi-year crisis in the EU from 2009 to the mid to late 2010s. It was caused by a balance-of-payments crisis and worsened by the inability to devalue currency. Several eurozone countries faced difficulties in repaying their debts, leading to financial support measures and bailouts from entities like the ECB and IMF.

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1985
British Pound Hits Lowest Against Dollar

The British pound reached its lowest value against the dollar since 1985, as a result of the economic impact of the UK referendum and the uncertainty surrounding the Brexit decision.

1992
Establishment of the Euro

The euro was established in Maastricht by the European Union in 1992, as a common currency for member states that met the terms of the treaty in terms of budget deficits, inflation, interest rates, and other monetary requirements.

1999-01-01
European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU)

The European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) refers to all of the countries that have adopted a free trade and monetary agreement in the Eurozone.

2001
Greece's Debt Concealment with Goldman Sachs

In 2001, Greece concealed part of its debt with the assistance of U.S. investment bank Goldman Sachs through complex credit-swap transactions.

2004
2004 Summer Olympic Games in Greece

Greece hosts the 2004 summer Olympic Games, which costs the state in excess of 9 billion euros ($11.6 billion). The resultant public borrowing contributes to a rising deficit (6.1 percent) and debt-to-GDP ratio (110.6 percent) for 2004.

2005
European Commission places Greece under fiscal monitoring

Greece’s unsustainable finances prompt the European Commission to place the country under fiscal monitoring in 2005.

2008
Collapse of Iceland's Banking System

The European sovereign debt crisis began in 2008 with the collapse of Iceland's banking system, which had significant repercussions for the entire region.

2009-10-04
Euro Crisis Begins

The Euro Crisis started in October 2009, marking the beginning of a period of economic turmoil and instability in the Eurozone.

2010-01-01
The Euro Crisis

The Euro Crisis refers to the financial and economic crisis that affected the Eurozone countries, particularly Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, and Italy, in the aftermath of the global financial crisis of 2008.

2010-02-11
EU Promises to Act Over Greek Debts

The EU promises to act over Greek debts and tells Greece to make further spending cuts, sparking strikes and riots in the streets.

2010-04-21
Eurozone Debt Crisis

Greece formally requested financial assistance from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund, marking the beginning of the Eurozone debt crisis.

2010-05-01
European Debt Crisis

The European Debt Crisis, also known as the sovereign debt crisis, affected several European countries, including Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece, and Spain (PIIGS). It led to economic instability and raised concerns about the financial health of the Eurozone.

2010-05-02
First Bailout for Greece

The EU-IMF bailout for Greece is announced, leading to violent demonstrations over austerity measures in Athens.

2010-05-09
European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF)

The European Financial Stability Facility was a temporary crisis resolution measure in the EU following the financial and sovereign debt crisis.

2010-05-10
ECB Bond Buying and 750 Billion Euro Rescue Package

The International Monetary Fund and EU agree to provide Greece with 110 billion euros ($146 billion) in loans over three years. Germany provides the largest sum, about 22 billion euros, of the EU’s 80 billion euro portion. In exchange, Prime Minister Papandreou commits to austerity measures, including 30 billion euros in spending cuts and tax increases.

2011-01-01
European Banking Authority (EBA)

The European Banking Authority (EBA) is a regulatory body that works to maintain financial stability in the European Union’s banking industry.

2011-07-07
European Central Bank Says It Will Buy Italian and Spanish Government Bonds

The European Central Bank says it will buy Italian and Spanish government bonds to try to bring down their borrowing costs, as concern grows that the debt crisis may spread to the larger economies of Italy and Spain.

2011-09-23
IMF Head Urges Countries to Act Together

IMF head Christine Lagarde urges countries to 'act now and act together' to keep the path to economic recovery on track.

2011-10-26
European Leaders Reach Agreement to Solve Debt Crisis

European leaders reach a 'three-pronged' agreement described as vital to solve the region's huge debt crisis, including accepting a loss of 50% on Greek debt and raising more capital to protect banks against losses.

2011-10-31
Papandreou Proposes Referendum on Bailout

On October 31, 2011, outgoing Prime Minister George Papandreou proposed a referendum on the bailout. This move created significant political and economic uncertainty in Greece and the eurozone.

2012-01-13
Standard & Poor's Downgrades France and Eight Other Eurozone Countries

Credit rating agency Standard & Poor's downgrades France and eight other eurozone countries, blaming the failure of eurozone leaders to deal with the debt crisis.

2012-02-21
EU Agrees to New Greek Bailout

The European Union agrees to a new Greek bailout deal, expanding austerity measures. Doctors and other health-care workers protest pay cuts during a demonstration in Athens against the new bailout deal.

2012-03-09
Greek Debt Restructuring

Greece and its private creditors complete the largest debt restructuring in history, including a 53.5 percent debt write-down for private Greek bondholders as part of the second EU-IMF bailout worth 130 billion euros.

2012-03-13
Eurozone Backs Second Greek Bailout

The eurozone finally backs a second Greek bailout of 130bn euros, with the IMF also providing backing.

2012-05-06
Majority of Greeks Vote Against Bailout Agreement

A majority of Greeks vote in a general election for parties that reject the country's bailout agreement with the EU and International Monetary Fund.

2012-09-06
ECB Unveils Unlimited Bond-Buying Plan

European Central Bank President Mario Draghi announces the bank's new bond-buying program during a press conference in Frankfurt on September 6, 2012.

2012-11-27
ECB Open-Ended Bond Buying Program Announcement

ECB President Mario Draghi announces an open-ended program to buy the government bonds of struggling eurozone states on the secondary market. The policy shift aims to calm volatile markets and succeeds in bringing down borrowing costs for indebted periphery countries.

2013-02-22
Eurozone Recession

The Eurozone officially entered a recession in the fourth quarter of 2012, with GDP contracting by 0.6%. This had widespread economic implications for the European Union and global markets.

2013-07-17
Greek Parliament Approves Austerity Measures

The Greek Parliament approves austerity measures amidst public protests and budget cuts. Municipal public school guard Yiorgos Avramidis and a colleague, who lost their jobs due to government budget cuts, sit in front of a police line guarding the Greek parliament on July 17, 2013.

2014-04-10
Greece Returns to International Bond Market

On April 10, 2014, Greece returned to the international bond market, marking a significant development in its financial recovery efforts.

2014-05-22
Publication of 'The Euro Crisis and Its Aftermath'

The book 'The Euro Crisis and Its Aftermath' was published in New York in 2014. It provides insights into the Euro Crisis and its consequences.

2015-01-22
ECB Announces Quantitative Easing

The European Central Bank (ECB) announces a quantitative easing program, signaling a significant monetary policy decision to stimulate the economy. This move is aimed at boosting investor confidence and addressing economic challenges.

2015-01-25
Syriza Wins Snap Elections

In January 2015, the left-wing Syriza party, led by Alexis Tsipras, emerged victorious in the snap elections.

2015-06-30
Greek Bailout Expires

The Greek bailout, which was set to expire on June 30, 2015, marked a crucial moment in the country's financial crisis. The expiration led to heightened tensions between Greece and its international creditors, with the possibility of default and potential exit from the monetary union looming.

2015-07-16
Greek Parliament Supports New Deal

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras urges the Greek parliament to approve a comprehensive package of austerity measures in a speech preceding the vote on July 16, 2015.

2016-06
UK Referendum

The UK referendum, also known as the Brexit referendum, was a pivotal event that sent shock waves through the economy, leading to a significant drop in the value of the British pound and causing turmoil in the financial markets.

2017-02
Trade Unionists Demonstration in Athens

In February 2017, trade unionists in Athens demonstrated in opposition to the EU's mandated budget cuts and labor reforms, reflecting the social and political tensions surrounding the economic measures imposed on Greece.

2018-08-20
Greece Exits Final Bailout Program

Greece exits its final bailout program, marking a significant milestone in the country's financial recovery. The closure of shops in central Athens covered in protest graffiti reflects the economic challenges faced by the country.

2019
Euro at 20: The Monetary Union From a Bird’s-eye View

The European Union reflects on the 20th anniversary of the Euro and provides a comprehensive view of the monetary union.

2020
Launch of EUR 750bn Recovery Fund

European leaders reached an agreement to introduce a EUR 750 billion recovery fund aimed at addressing the economic repercussions of the pandemic.

2021-09-16
Ireland Joins Portugal and Greece in Moody's 'Junk' Drawer

Ireland's credit rating is downgraded to 'junk' status by Moody's, joining Portugal and Greece in facing financial instability.

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European Debt Crisis
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