Despite being the European Union's fifth-largest economy Spain is teetering on the brink of a Greece-style meltdown and the silence of Spanish lobbyists is bewildering.

Europe's harsh austerity programs have pushed depressed economies even deeper into depression. Growth has stagnated. Debt is out of control. In vulnerable economies like Spain, interest rates are veering toward usury. Governments are bailing out banks. And Greece has imploded both politically and economically with citizens now emptying their bank account. Because investors look at the state of a nation's economy when assessing its ability to repay debt, austerity programs haven't even worked as a way to reduce borrowing costs.

The author of this article is Dr. Conor McGrath (www.Conormcgrathpa.com), Ireland. Dr. Conor McGrath has written/edited seven books on lobbying and public affairs. 

France's new President is calling for a European rethink to foster growth strategies. But he will face two monumental challenges. The first is to solve France's overwhelming debt and fiscal crisis- in the eyes of many economists, the most serious in Europe. Currently, France's public deficit is 5.2% of GDP and public debt is 85.8% of GDP. France is still able to borrow 10 year money at below 3%, compared to 1.6% for Germany, around 2% for the UK and 4.7% for deeply troubled Spain.

Europe needs to get its growth groove back. But how? A growth agenda for Europe requires several parts: 1) an emphasis on productivity growth, with policies to support saving and investment, innovation and research, trade, education and training; 2) a budget framework that does not threaten European fiscal health; (3) tax policy that enhances economic growth; 4) regulation that balances growth with concerns about safety and soundness, and 5) a healthy financial system that meets the needs of savers and borrowers.

Southern Europe's moribund growth is rooted in the long term decline of competitiveness in countries like Italy, Spain and Portugal. Reforms to free up labour markets, cut business costs and slash red tape could pay off in the long term. But right now, austerity measures to bring budgets down are compunding the no-growth problem.

Back in 2007, the World Economic Forum formed the Community of Global Growth Companies (GGC) to engage dynamic high-growth companies with the potential to be tomorrow's industry leaders and to become a driving force of economic and social change.

In order to be considered as a Global Growth Company, a company must demonstrate:

POLITICO INFLUENCE (PI) By DAVE LEVINTHAL & ANNA PALMER 04/20/12 2:27 PM EDT with Abby Phillip

The strong showing made by the National Front candidate Marine Le Pen in the first round of France's presidential elections (The National Front got 17.9% of the vote) has highlighted the strength of far right groups in Europe. The National Front has a strong presence in several towns and regions in France and holds three seats in the European Parliament. The next legislative elections that will take place this coming June will no doubt show the entry of the National Front in the French National Assembly.

Here below is a quick look at the far right in Europe today:

Christian D. de Fouloy, a veteran French-American expert in government relations, Founder and Chairman of Brussels-based Association of Accredited Lobbyists to the European Union (AALEP) and John Foreman, Founder of successful U.S. lobbying industry websites have combined their expertise and talents to launch a new turnkey website called GlobalGovAffairs.com (www.GlobalGovAffairs.com) .