The European Union Economy and Politics in 2019: Conflict at home
The European Union began 2018 in reasonable economic condition. Growth in the fourth quarter of 2017 had reached 2.8% annually, matching the best since the financial crisis. Unemployment in January was down to 8.6% from 9.6% a year earlier. Industrial production in December 2017 was 5% higher on the year. The ECB had cautiously begun to reduce its bond purchases which it proposed to terminate at the end of the year citing the improving economic picture.