由于公共财政状况严重失衡，欧债危机的阴云始终笼罩着西班牙和葡萄牙。2011年两国经济增长持续低迷，对国内政局产生不利影响。西班牙的紧缩政策和经济改革措施成效甚微，导致执政党威信下降，公众支持率下滑。为保持执政地位，西班牙内阁进行重大改组，并宣布提前举行大选。葡萄牙由于主要政党在财政紧缩计划上分歧严重，总理被迫辞职，政府提前倒台。在提前举行的大选中，葡萄牙反对党获胜。西班牙和葡萄牙均面临严重经济困境，两国政府在欧盟事务上保持低调姿态。在债务危机的背景下，两国与中国的关系均变得日益紧密。
The year 2011 observed the economic recovery slipping into lower gear in Italy. A series of negative factors have contributed to the uncertainty of the prospect of Italian economy. Italian political situation remains generally stable, but the results of the local elections and referendum show that the ruling centre-right coalition suffered setbacks and its popularity is in a slump. The tough austerity plans gave rise to the eruption of grand-scale strikes, but didn't evolve into social turbulence. On the international arena, the concerns for and participation in the Libya war almost explicitly shows the pragmatist principle pursued by Italy in its foreign policies in the recent years.
