Germany’s Coming Downgrade
At the end of November, the credit-rating agency Standard & Poor’s stripped the Netherlands of its coveted triple-A status. This should raise serious concerns for the most important eurozone member of all – Germany – which shares key macroeconomic similarities with its smaller neighbor and now faces a period of weak political effectiveness.
TILBURG – On December 5, the Dutch celebrate Sinterklaas, a traditional winter holiday that people celebrate by preparing surprises for each other. But this year’s celebration was marred by a surprise that no one wanted: just days before, the credit-rating agency Standard & Poor’s stripped the Netherlands of its coveted triple-A status.