Economic Crisis in the Eurozone

What started as a debt crisis in Greece in late 2009 has evolved into a broader economic crisis in the Eurozone that threatens economic stability in Europe and beyond. Many analysts consider the Eurozone crisis to be the biggest threat to the global economy, and some Members of Congress have expressed concern about the possible effects on the U.S. economic recovery. Analysts and investors are concerned that some Eurozone governments could default on their debt in a disorderly fashion; vulnerabilities in the European banking sector could trigger broad financial turmoil; the Eurozone could enter a protracted economic recession; and one or more countries could leave the Eurozone. The crisis has tested the solidarity of European Union (EU) member states and strained the capacity of EU leadership and institutional structures. This book provides a brief analysis of the Eurozone crisis and issues of particular congressional interest.