FT Comment Update 5/8/2012

Financial Times - Comment

The Greek crisis will fast expose Mr Hollande

Forced to choose, the French are almost certain to go with the Germans. Yet that would show Hollande’s rhetoric on austerity to be vacuous, writes Gideon Rachman http://link.ft.com/r/KC2844/IICEQY/9ZA4GU/HYUPHC/GD0RA0/50/h?a1=2012&a2=5&a3=8

Please, Mr President, use your economic sense

You are taking on an immense responsibility: please, do not make us lose five more years, writes Dominique Moïsi http://link.ft.com/r/KC2844/IICEQY/9ZA4GU/HYUPHC/YB92FT/50/h?a1=2012&a2=5&a3=8

A European tip for David Cameron: listen to Mario Monti

Local election results show the French are not alone in losing patience with austerity policies that are not working, writes Philip Stephens http://link.ft.com/r/KC2844/IICEQY/9ZA4GU/HYUPHC/SPK8Q1/50/h?a1=2012&a2=5&a3=8

Monetary policy is no panacea for Europe’s ills

Emergency measures ease the transition to a healthier system. They must not become a convenient analgesic, writes Jens Weidmann http://link.ft.com/r/KC2844/IICEQY/9ZA4GU/HYUPHC/2OFM1O/50/h?a1=2012&a2=5&a3=8

Inequality is the real threat to Asia’s growth miracle

Children from the poorest quintile are up to five times less likely to attend secondary school than wealthier peers, writes Changyong Rhee http://link.ft.com/r/KC2844/IICEQY/9ZA4GU/HYUPHC/HYCF7S/50/h?a1=2012&a2=5&a3=8

The real frontline of the Chinese in Africa

The only way to prevent relations from worsening is for China to stop pretending its mass of small traders don’t exist, writes Terence McNamee http://link.ft.com/r/KC2844/IICEQY/9ZA4GU/HYUPHC/HYCFAO/50/h?a1=2012&a2=5&a3=8

The best of times, the worst of times

French people escaping Mr Hollande will find a UK swithering between hope and despair and subjected to unnecessary elections, writes Brian Groom http://link.ft.com/r/KC2844/IICEQY/9ZA4GU/HYUPHC/30N518/50/h?a1=2012&a2=5&a3=8

Berlin prepares for pragmatic partnership

The advent of François Hollande may prove to be more of a blessing than a curse for the chancellor by giving her growth leverage at the polls http://link.ft.com/r/KC2844/IICEQY/9ZA4GU/HYUPHC/97TY89/50/h?a1=2012&a2=5&a3=8

A possible third way for bank investors

Rather than the use of a bonus pool or ‘excess’ capital, banks and regulators could consider a new structure for shareholder dividends http://link.ft.com/r/KC2844/IICEQY/9ZA4GU/HYUPHC/IIVN7B/50/h?a1=2012&a2=5&a3=8