Will the euro survive 2012?

So much for a quiet Christmas in the euro zone. The European debt crisis has been off boil for the past several months, but we all knew it was just a matter of time before the steam started rising again. The question was: What would turn up the heat? I would have put my money on Spain stumbling into a bailout program, but instead the spark has come from one of the key figures in the euro zone: Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti. The respected economist surprised financial markets on Saturday when he announced he would step down early, after the latest budget passed through parliament.

SINCE Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou declared his intention to hold a referendum in his country on the recently negotiated rescue plan, the situation in Athens has been somewhat volatile.

By Zecco: By Paul Quintaro European bond auctions have contributed significantly to the movement of the markets in late 2011. On Thursday, the eurozone had yet another auction—this time in Italy. Commentators were mixed on whether or not they considered the results of the auction to be a success.

By Shareholders Unite:Here is Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti:

APG will invest £160 million in rental housing in London. Oil prices fell influenced by uncertain discussions over the debt ceiling. Financial ministers meet in Davos for the World Economic Forum. Apple’s shares in a 11-month low.