Economist backs temporary rent caps and warns on French debt

American economist Paul Krugman has said temporary rent caps could help contain housing speculation in Europe, according to Euronews. He also warned that French public debt could become catastrophic and urged Europe to adopt temporary protectionism. His comments come as social unrest has spread across several European countries for almost two months over rising living costs. Euronews reports that a 21-year-old Italian university student told AFP that a single room in Rome costs 1,200 euros. The European Commission proposed housing legislation last September.