PARIS — Amid a wave of criticism, Standard & Poor’s defended its decision to downgrade nine European countries and insisted Saturday that the region’s leaders aren’t doing enough to solve their debt crises.
The prime minister of France, the biggest economy hit by the downgrade, vowed to press ahead with cost-cutting measures that opponents say will suffocate growth. The loss of its coveted AAA status wounded France’s self-image and market credibility just as it is facing a new recession and presidential elections.
The move Friday night might make it more expensive for struggling countries to borrow money, reduce debts and sustain growth. It also came just as crucial negotiations between the Greek government and its private creditors appeared close to collapse.
Voices rose up Saturday against the power that ratings agencies wield. Critics of S&P have questioned its credibility and relevance before because it failed to foresee the collapse in the U.S. subprime mortgage market, which helped trigger the financial meltdown of 2008.
The latest downgrade brought a downbeat end to a mildly encouraging week for Europe’s most debt-laden nations. It also served as a reminder that the 17-country eurozone faces what German Chancellor Angela Merkel called a “long road” ahead to win back investors’ confidence.
Cyprus President Dimitris Christofias called the downgrade “unacceptable.”
“The latest downgrade is completely unfair and loaded with ulterior motives,” he told reporters. “Just when the Cyprus economy is breathing easier and showing signs of emerging from the crisis, and when our financing needs for 2012 and perhaps beyond 2012 have been covered, a (credit ratings) agency comes along to downgrade.”
S&P spokesman Martin Winn dismissed suggestions that the agency’s decisions were political and could further hurt indebted countries.
S&P analyst Moritz Kraemer said in a conference call Saturday that European government measures haven’t been sufficient to restore confidence.
“They have not achieved a solution that is sufficient in size or scope,” he said.
He added that austerity measures require “huge sacrifices” of the public that might prompt a backlash.
Struggling countries
Countries whose government debt was downgraded Friday by Standard & Poor’s: France, Italy, Greece, Spain, Austria, Cyprus, Malta, Slovakia and Slovenia.
