3-22-2010

3-22-2010—Europe’s stragglers find villain: Germany’s competitiveness. ... That doesn’t mean German labor comes cheap. Their manufacturing wages and benefits are among the highest in Europe, at about 34 euros an hour... WSJ A2

--French opposition scores a victory. ... Mr. Sarkozy was elected in 2007 on the promise he would bring France out of a prolonged economic malaise and cut unemployment in half by introducing more free-market policies. But last year’s recession and a sharp rise in joblessness have led him to call for giving state administration a bigger role. In Sunday’s regional vote, the opposition Socialist party won control most regions through coalitions with Communist and green movements. –WSJ A13