A round-up of public finance news stories from Europe you might have missed this week (September 16-20).

Austerity easing with change to EU budget policy

European finance officials have approved a change to the region's budget policies that would lighten the austerity required of countries hardest hit by the crisis. (The Wall Street Journal)

Sweden unveils election-year stimulus budget

Sweden’s government has unveiled an election-year budget aimed at stimulating growth through increased public spending and income tax cuts. (Global Post)

Ireland exits recession as economy grows

The Irish Republic's economy has returned to growth, meaning the country has emerged from its second recession in five years. (BBC)

Greek teachers lead off a week of public sector strikes

A week of planned strikes in Greece kicked off on Monday with the teachers’ unions, which have reported a near 90% turnout of their members who are angry at public spending cuts. (Euronews)

German anti-euro party inches up in polls, upsetting Merkel's conservatives

A new German anti-euro party has for the first time cleared the 5% threshold for entering parliament in an opinion poll, indicating that Chancellor Angela Merkel might be unable to repeat her centre-Right coalition after Sunday's federal election. (EurActiv.com)