CONSENSUS: The leaders of France, Germany, Italy and Spain agreed to push for a growth package worth up to €130 billion ($163 billion) at a key European Union summit next week aimed at stimulating the economy and preserving the currency bloc.
FEW DETAILS: President Francois Hollande of France, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and Italian Premier Mario Monti provided few details beyond agreement on pursuing a financial transaction tax that Germany wants.
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A THAW?: Germany’s Merkel acknowledged that austerity alone won’t cure the euro’s woes. She has come under increasing pressure to give ground on key pro-growth measures. Monti has warned of severe consequences for the 17 countries that use the euro and the world economy if next week’s summit fails.
