G20: World leaders gather around Europe's sickbed "from a Wall Street virus"

With a Greek economic crisis matched only by its internal political turmoil, leaders from the world's 20 leading nations scrambled yesterday (3 November) in Cannes to insulate themselves from the next most European vulnerable economy, Italy.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy, the host of the G20 meeting, made no secret that the problems of the eurozone had taken centre stage at the summit, initially planned to identify solutions to boost the world economy.

With a scenario of Greek bankruptcy no longer seen as taboo, Italy became a prime concern at the summit.

In Cannes, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was urged to take urgent steps to reassure markets and slash its crippling debt mountain. The Italian leader was set to leave the summit early on Friday, facing mounting calls to quit and a rebellion within his own centre-right party.

For more: World leaders gather around Europe's sickbed | EurActiv