Ireland Mentions "R" Word, EUR Plunges ...
Just as we scripted, the temptation to migrate from the status quo in Europe was just too high for the other peripherals and Ireland just gained first/next mover advantage after Greece by daring top mention the "R" word. As Bloomberg notes:
- IRELAND TO HOLD VOTE ON EU FISCAL COMPACT, KENNY SAYS
We would imagine that Barroso and his pals are scrambling now that another 'Referendum' is on the cards (and we are checking what 'referendum' is in Portuguese) and while fascism in perpetuity has been priced into Euro, the possibility that democracy rears its ugly head has just sent the EURUSD tumbling.
As a reminder, "Irish voters have twice rejected European referendums before eventually passing them once concessions were offered, most recently in 2010 when in return for passing the Lisbon Treaty Dublin got assurances on its military neutrality and its ability to decide its own tax rates." A little birdie tells us the "concession" this time will be that Irish debt gets the same treatment as Greek. Or else the people will actually really say what is on their minds.
[se også Wall Street Journal: Ireland to Hold Referendum on EU Treaty]
