by Calculated Risk on 11/10/2011 08:36:00 PM

New temporary PMs for Italy and Greece, a new European economic forecast (that is too optimistic, I think Europe is already in a new recession), and S&P goofs ...

From the NY Times: A Shaken Italy Is Poised to Name a New Government

Italy pulled back from the brink on Thursday, as lawmakers seemed poised to usher out Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and replace his government with a cabinet of technocrats most likely led by a former European Commissioner, Mario Monti.
...
Mr. Berlusconi was hoping to buy himself more time in power. But now, with the Senate expected to approve the measures on Friday and the Lower House on Saturday, Mr. Berlusconi is expected to step down by Monday.

Asked what had sped up the process, Stefano Micossi, an economist and the director of Assonime, an Italian business research group, put it simply: “The view of the precipice.”

From the Athens News: Papademos confirmed as new PM

... the former ECB vice-president [Lucas Papademos] was confirmed as the country’s next prime minister.

The formalities of the resignation of outgoing ministers and swearing-in of the new government are expected to be completed on Friday, with a view to the holding of vote of confidence in parliament possibly as early Monday.

"The Greek economy is facing huge problems despite the efforts undertaken," Papademos said in his first public remarks. "The choices we will make will be decisive for the Greek people. The path will not be easy but I am convinced the problems will be resolved faster and at a smaller cost if there is unity, understanding and prudence."

From the NY Times: Europe’s Growth Forecast Is Lowered

Europe’s economic outlook received a fresh dose of gloom Thursday, when the European Commission warned that the Continent’s economies were stalled and faced the risk of a double-dip recession.
...
“The recovery in the European Union has now come to a standstill, and there is a risk of a new recession,” Olli Rehn, the European commissioner for economic and monetary affairs, told reporters in Brussels.

“This forecast is in fact the last wake-up call,” he added.
...
Even Germany, the economic engine of Europe, is now expected to record just 0.8 percent growth in 2012 — more than a percentage point lower than the European Commission predicted in its spring forecast. And none of the euro zone’s other three biggest economies — France, Italy and Spain — are projected to achieve 1 percent growth in 2012.

I think Europe is already in recession.

And from Bloomberg: S&P’s Faux Pas on French Rating Roils Markets

Standard & Poor’s roiled global equity, bond, currency and commodity markets when it sent and then corrected an erroneous message to subscribers suggesting France’s top credit rating had been downgraded.