AGI

Alexander Privitera

AGI Non-Resident Senior Fellow

Alexander Privitera a Geoeconomics Non-Resident Senior Fellow at AGI. He is a columnist at BRINK news and professor at Marconi University. He was previously Senior Policy Advisor at the European Banking Federation and was the head of European affairs at Commerzbank AG. He focuses primarily on Germany’s European policies and their impact on relations between the United States and Europe. Previously, Mr. Privitera was the Washington-based correspondent for the leading German news channel, N24. As a journalist, over the past two decades he has been posted to Berlin, Bonn, Brussels, and Rome. Mr. Privitera was born in Rome, Italy, and holds a degree in Political Science (International Relations and Economics) from La Sapienza University in Rome.

Recent Content

Reset

What’s at Stake in the Election

The last days of the U.S. presidential campaign have not only offered a very tight race, they have also spread the illusion that electing a new or confirming the old …

The Elusive Banking Union

The gathering of European leaders in Brussels is successfully meeting the very low expectations observers had at the onset. As we wrote at the beginning of the week, this summit …

The Nobel’s New Narrative

With the recent awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to the European Union, AGI takes a look at what some of Europe’s leaders are saying about the meaning of the …

Waiting on Karlsruhe

As the month of August inexorably ticks away, investors and policymakers are getting ready for a hot September. In the coming weeks, Chancellor Angela Merkel will meet with the French …

The End of Angela’s Summer Break

Angela Merkel’s summer break is over. Upon her return to Berlin, the German Chancellor will find an atmosphere that by now is all too familiar — frantic, heated headline-grabbing public discussions about a possible Greek exit, and the likelihood of a full-scale breakup of the euro zone.

The Most Powerful Woman in the World

AICGS Senior Fellow Alexander Privitera takes a look at the underlying priorities for Germany and its chancellor, Angela Merkel. Many Germans might think that a partial breakup of the monetary union may be needed, but Merkel is not one of them. The essay is adapted from a speech that Mr. Privitera gave at the World Affairs Council of Houston, TX on Aug. 22nd.

Draghi’s Master Plan

The President of the European Central Bank Mario Draghi disappointed financial markets on Thursday when he announced that the ECB will wait to restart its bond buying program. However, a closer look at what Draghi said during his press conference should encourage both investors anxious for quick action and skeptics in Germany alike. Draghi has a plan, but he is still resisting the temptation to let politicians off the hook.

Rajoy’s Cautionary Tale

More than anybody else Spanish Prime minister Mariano Rajoy embodies what many euro zone members nation’ leaders are going through. Caught in a purgatory, suspended between the proud defense of national sovereignty, the need for Euro zone financial solidarity and the powerful drift towards closer political integration, he is struggling to find the right balance and avoid catastrophe. After months full of missteps, even the proud Spaniard seems to have finally realized that there will be no safety for his country without further transfers of power towards Brussels.

The Need to Think Bigger

Recent events in Europe, especially Spain, have once again ignited numerous debates about the potential breakup of the euro zone. In a recent op-ed in the Washington Post, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle laid out and defended what he felt was needed to fix Europe. However, according to Executive Director Jack Janes and Senior Fellow Alexander Privitera, Mr. Westerwelle’s plan does not go far enough.

From Paris to Athens and Back to Madrid: The Return of Crisis Management

Once again the uncertainty surrounding Greece has plunged Europe into crisis mode. The euro zone is fighting on three fronts: it is trying to keep Greece on course, save Spain from its banks, and define a middle-term strategy for growth. The crisis really is back with a vengeance.

The End of Austerity?

Is Germany becoming increasingly isolated in Europe? The European media certainly thinks so. AICGS Senior Fellow Alexander Privitera examines the latest turn in the struggle to contain the crisis in Europe and argues that the price for more harmony in the euro zone could very well be the introduction of Eurobonds.

The Agenda

AICGS Senior Fellow Alexander Privitera looks at the IMF/World Bank spring meetings, which will continue to keep the spotlight on Europe. Despite some recent improvements, the message for Europeans is unchanged: more homework needs to be done and the time to complete it dwindling.