Prospects 2015
Europe
_350.jpg "Leader of leftist main opposition Syriza party Alexis Tsipras (Reuters/Alkis Konstantinidis)")
South-eastern Europe
The IMF expects 'Emerging Europe' to grow by an average of nearly 3% in 2015, twice the rate of 'Advanced Europe'
_350.jpg "Angela Merkel poses with Francois Hollande during the Asia-Europe Meeting in Milan (Reuters/Alessandro Garofalo)")
Euro-area
A euro-area recovery will depend on ECB action and the ability of member states to tap into emerging market growth
France
France's stagnating economy and gridlocked political class risk an eruption of social unrest in 2015
_263.jpg "Francois Hollande speaks with Manuel Valls during a ceremony at the Elysee Palace in Paris (Reuters/Philippe Wojazer)")
United Kingdom
The general election -- and the prospect of an 'in/out' vote on EU membership -- will dominate UK politics
Central Europe
The main risk factor for 2015 is a renewed loss of confidence in the euro-area
EU politics
Next year will see reinvigorated EU leadership -- and mounting tensions with some member states
Alternative energy
Low gas prices will imperil some alternative energy projects, but long-term trends still favour the industry
Germany
Germany will defy calls to embrace a bigger role in world affairs, preferring to balance its budget
