When in doubt, go on strike: http://www.euronews.net/2010/02/04/strikes-begin-over-greek-austerity-plan/ Civil servants first, farmers next. Civil unrest is also a possibility. Weren't there recent protests over new regulations requiring computerized records of petrol sales?
Time to introduce a Premier League and First Division in Europe, methinks. People keep talking of a two-speed Europe as though it's a bad thing. The big nations should form the Premiership, with the UK as their common sense anchor and the rest should be made to fight it out for promotion.
Does this mean the UK government gets an Italian prime minister, a Spanish minister of education and a Dutch minister of finance?
In all seriousness, Greece have been taking the piss, even lied to the EU about their budget deficit when they joined the Eurozone apparently. You can't really kick countries out of the EU for financial reasons though I think.
Sorry, but you should be careful with arrogant comments when looking at these figures: http://www.tagesschau.de/multimedia/bilder/infografik232_v-gross16x9.jpg http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/bild-673842-41041.html http://img704.imageshack.us/img704/5663/defizitstateu.jpg Yes, Greece did a very bad job ... but other EU countries have absolutely no reason start bragging (even when not belonging to the EURO zone)!
Don't think they'd get kicked out of the EU, it's the euro if it came to that. Ultimately, whatever happens will most likely be the Germans' decision since they're supreme power when it comes to euro currency politics. The Germans want to keep it inside the EU to save face, which may mean they act like Hank Paulson and George W. Bush, in that while hating doing a bailout, they feel they have no other option. Although I saw an article last night where the Swedish finance minister thought the IMF should be brought in because they have more historical knowledge dealing with these types of things, although the IMF coming in wouldn't be good for the euro's prestige. Whatever solution comes out of it, it's going to hurt a lot one way or another based on the conclusion made. "Rock and a hard place" Tons of articles out there in the past week on this issue, this is one from yesterday that's a fairly good one: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/newsnight/paulmason/2010/02/the_greek_crisis_is_europes_cr.html Latvia, EU member not in the eurozone but aiming to become a member of the euro and therefore holding their currency to an overvalued exchange rate, had its Q4 2009 GDP contract 17.7% year-over-year. Per Eurostat, unemployment went up to 22.8%. http://fistfulofeuros.net/afoe/econ...onomy-contracts-almost-18-percent-in-q4-2009/
Greece unlike the others lied about their budget deficit to start off with. If they'd been honest about it they'd never have been accepted into the Eurozone in the first place. So it's entirely fair for the EU to be pissed off with them specifically.
Plus, it's important we don't let the "Ok for a couple of weeks in the sun" countries get ideas above their station.
I don't know, should the muslim country really be ahead? soon enough the queen will be Queen Mullah al-Habib Muhammad Ahkbar. Not sure that's who the EU want running their group
To me it appears as if people are finally starting to realize the mess they got into by not opposing to Germany's wicked imperialistic aims (aka ECB).
What 'face'?? The Germans?? I guess you mean they don't want other European countries to question their commercial surplus and how they managed to gain it...well, it makes sense on their part, if the Euro crumbles they will crumble too. But I guess it's too late...as I said, people from the 'periphery' have started realizing how the EU and especially the ECB is screwing them, with their mind-boggling monetaristic Maastricht policies...I mean, they told Greece to reduce their deficit from 13% to 3% in 2 years...how would you call this kind of suggestion?? I'm torn between 'idiotic' and 'criminal'. Yesterday there was a general strike in Greece...let's hope other countries soon follow suit and their workers wake up before it's too late. Those Baltic countries deserve to disappear....ditch socialism, dismantle your social state, buy into every rubbish theory coming out of the University of Chicago, adopt a flat tax...they were clearly looking for big trouble....glad they got it.
I didn't defend Greece, as you surely noticed. I just mentioned that bragging about 2 different European leagues with the "Premier League" consisting of the "big nations" led by the UK, is inadequate when being confronted with the fact that many so-called "big nations" are doing a worse job than lots of 'smaller' nations.
Oh yes, just a few far-leftists gathered there, surely make up all Greek... And to me it appears as if trolls like you should be just ignored. Thankfully I don't know any Italians with such limited "patterns of thought" like you...
Ma basta te...I didn't even quote you...what's your issue?? Did you get upset 'cause I suggested the ECB is just Bundesbank's new name?? It is pretty overt...and the 'rescue' (lol) plan Greece is being forced to accept clearly shows it. I hope the Greek government is forced by its citizens to say a big 'No'. Greece is in this situation because of the ECB's policies...only aimed at preserving and increasing Germany's commercial surplus towards the rest of the EU. They should change...not Greece.
Ah, the philosophical end of geography. I am no expert, but I believe that strong arguments can be made, on the basis of underwater backbones and ridges, that the UK is part of Europe. But equally, the disappearance of the land bridge some 2,500 years ago can equally sensibly be used to claim that it is in fact distinct.