European cuts

More than 30,000 off-duty police officers march through central London in protest at cuts aimed at reducing their numbers by 20 per cent.

Spain partially nationalised banking giant Bankia SA after concerns about its real estate exposure in a scenario reminiscent of the Irish crisis following the 2008 implosion of Lehman Bros.

From Greece to France, from Britain to Italy, the message seems clear. Voters have had enough of the politics of austerity, enough of economic pain. But is there a realistic alternative?

With voters in Greece, France and Italy using elections to reject austerity, Channel 4 News looks at what happens next and whether a break-up of the eurozone is now on the cards.

In an election that has galvanised the French electorate, Socialist candidate François Hollande becomes president of France after defeating the incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy.

The German chancellor vows to work with France’s new socialist president-elect Francois Hollande but insists the fiscal compact that commits eurozone governments to austerity is non-negotiable.

As the French go to the polls, President Sarkozy is blaming his waning popularity on the financial crisis, austerity measures, and a media “alliance” with Socialist front-runner François Hollande.

Europe awoke to an unpredictable future after elections in France, Greece and EU hopeful Serbia – exactly the type of turmoil that spooks bond and currency traders who crave stability.

Greece’s two main parties – PASOK and New Democracy – were expected to incur huge losses when polls closed Sunday night as their popularity plunges to lows not seen since the 1974.

Nicolas Sarkozy and Francois Hollande, France’s two presidential candidates, both talk of change – but what they are actually engaged in, writes Jonathan Rugman, is the business of preservation.

Extremist parties are on the rise in Greece as elections approach. Inigo Gilmore reports on the despair felt by ordinary families struggling to deal with economic austerity and political turmoil.

Holland will attempt to claw back confidence after the collapse of the government by selling of 2.5bn Euros of debt. It is hoped the move will steady a jittery Euro.

After triumphing in the first round of the French presidential elections, Francois Hollande is now favourite to move into the Elysee Palace. Channel 4 News looks at what he stands for.

French voters rallied behind Socialist candidate Francois Hollande in round one of closely fought elections, leaving far right President Nicolas Sarkozy clinging to power.

In an interview with Channel 4 News Chancellor George Osborne defends his decision to give an extra £10bn loan to the International Monetary Fund while preaching austerity measures at home.