” “” “” ” ” “The autumn economic forecasts illustrated by MEP Almunia state: "In particular, private consumption, that had become the main propeller of growth in the first part of this year, should grow at a powerful pace because of a comparatively high employment growth". According to the figures provided by Barroso’s team, the European Union "as a whole should create 8 million new jobs in 2007-2009, adding up to the 3.5 million jobs created in 2006". This would reduce unemployment to 6.6% in 2009. In addition, if this trend is confirmed, the budget deficit for 2007 in both the EU and the euro-zone would drop "to the lowest level in recent years, with an average of 1.1% of the Gross Domestic Product in the 27 EU member states and 0.8% in the euro-zone". Finally, inflation: it should grow in the next quarters because of the rise in the price of basic products, "but it should drop down again to about 2% before mid-2008". ” “” “
