The Spanish PM has strongly denied claims that he and other members of the governing party received secret payments. "I have never received or distributed 'black money', it's false," he said, stressing that he would not resign.
Norman Villamin, chief investment officer for Europe at Coutts, says Italy's political risks have diminished as Italians head to the polls in February.
Spain's conservative prime minister is preparing a package of small measures - such as tax breaks for young entrepreneurs - to stimulate the economy even as he vows to stick to budget cuts.
Miles Davis, partner at Wine Asset Managers, expects the fine wine market to earn healthy returns in 2013, correlated to growing wealth in developing economies.
European shares closed mixed on Monday, boosted by upbeat U.S. durable goods sales data showing orders jumped 4.6 percent in December. Expectations had been for a 1.8 percent rise.
Kit Juckes, global head of foreign exchange strategy at Societe Generale, discusses whether the sterling will fall further, and says there is a "major" risk the U.K. will lose its triple-A rating.
It is difficult to export and compete with the U.S. due to the high euro/dollar exchange rate, which should be around parity, says Giuseppe Recchi, chairman of Italy's Eni.
Ibrahim Abdulaziz Al-Assaf, Saudi Arabia's finance minister, highlights the impact of Syria's crisis on neighboring Turkey and Lebanon, and in particular, Jordan.
Harvard University Professor Lawrence (Larry) Summers says the U.S. should take advantage of "negligible" long term interest rates to improve healthcare and education.
Eurasia Group President Ian Bremner and Stefano Aversa, co-president at Alix Partners, discuss market uncertainty ahead of David Cameron's speech on Friday, plus Italy's political future.
William Browder, CEO and co-founder of Hermitage Capital Management, says Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev's speech at the World Economic Forum was divorced from reality, and advises investors to avoid the country.
Join Louisa Bojesen for a fast-paced, dynamic wrap up to the trading day. European Closing Bell gives an in-depth analysis of the day's market action and includes expert analysis from the major players in the European business and financial world. Reporting live from London on the day's financial and business events, Closing Bell also includes live contribution and analysis from across Europe. Get involved in the program and e-mail your questions and comments to the show: Europeanclosingbell@cnbc.com.