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- Thomas Mayer, chief economist at Deutsche Bank
Economists suggest that the future of the European Union and the fate of the single currency will become clear in the first half of the year 2012, highlighting importance of structural reforms to be implemented by Italy, the euro area's third largest economy.
"The first half of 2012 will be the time when we will get a better feel if the euro is going to survive," said Thomas Mayer, chief economist at Deutsche Bank in an interview. "It all depends on whether the Monti government can stabilize the Italian economy and implement reforms."
In the meantime, ratings agency Fitch put a number of eurozone economies, including France and Italy, on watch for possible downgrades on Friday and said it thinks a comprehensive solution to the crisis is out of reach.