Europe, Resignation | featured news

Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates resigned Wednesday and warned of grave consequences for the country after parliament rejected his government's latest austerity measures aimed at avoiding a bailout.

French Prime Minister Francois Fillon and his government resigned on Saturday before a long-awaited ministerial reshuffle, according to a statement from President Nicolas Sarkozy's office.

German President Horst Koehler said on Monday he was resigning with immediate effect due to widespread criticism of comments he made about the country's military action and commercial interests.

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The resignation of the bishop, John Magee, added to the fallout of a scandal that has rocked the Catholic church in Ireland and throughout Europe.

An unexpected announcement reinforced the sense of instability in a nation that was once a magnet for investment.