September 12 will be an interesting day this year.

1. It’s the day that the Dutch go to the polls, and there’s some evidence that public opinion has shifted in an interesting way.

2. It’s also the day when the German constitutional court will rule on whether the European stability mechanism – the new permanent bailout fund for the eurozone – breaches the country’s constitution.

3. On the same day the European Commission’s president, José Manuel Barroso, will give details of its proposals to strengthen banking regulation as a quid pro quo for a cross-eurozone bank bailout fund.

4. Oh — and it’s also the day when the iPhone 5 comes out.