UPDATE 27 June 2015: The drama surrounding Greece’s fate in the eurozone has taken yet another twist. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, has called a surprise national referendum for 5 July on the question of whether or not to reject the proposal put forth by the institutions overseeing Greece’s bailout. Effectively deciding whether or not Greece leaves the eurozone.
UPDATE 05 June 2015: Greece has missed a €300m debt repayment to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in a move that Grexit-watchers are calling a “warning shot” to creditors. As part of a little-known mechanism created in the 1970s, the debt-ridden country has bundled all its IMF debts in June into a single payment due at the end of the month.
Lenders have agreed to compromise slightly on the scale of budget cuts they would like to see, but have so far refused to consider the debt relief being demanded by the Greek government. For its part, the SYRIZA government argues that the austerity measures imposed on Greece have only plunged the country even further into debt. Meanwhile, increasing capital flight is sparking rumours that capital controls may soon be required. Is it too late to stop a Greek default and exit from the Eurozone? Or is this all just political brinksmanship, and a deal will be reached by the end of the month?
UPDATE 27 May 2015: Without a last-minute deal with creditors, Greece will run out of money within a matter of days. Over the weekend, the country’s interior minister, Nikos Voutsis, told journalists that Athens will be unable to make a loan repayment due to the IMF on 5 June unless a deal is reached.
However, Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis has denied that Athens will run out of money, saying he is confident a deal can be agreed. The mood has also grown more upbeat in recent days amongst creditors, with EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker saying he is also optimistic about the prospects for a deal.
Will Greece run out of money next Friday? And what would be the impact of a Greek default on the rest of Europe (or, for that matter, the global economy)? Let us know your thoughts and comments on this issue, and we’ll take them to policymakers and experts for their reactions.
UPDATE 11 May 2015: Negotiations between Athens and Greece’s creditors are entering crunch time. Eurogroup finance ministers are meeting in Brussels this afternoon to discuss Greek economic reforms, while a 770 million euro IMF repayment looms on Tuesday.
Greek officials have denied that Athens could refuse to repay the IMF if talks go badly today, and they also insist there is no Plan B as an alternative to successful negotiations. However, analysts worry that the Greek government’s finances are being stretched to the limit.
Will Greece’s negotiations with creditors eventually succeed and allow the country to remain in the Eurozone? Or will the Greek state simply run out of money and be forced to default? Is the Eurozone heading for an “accidental Grexit”?
25 February 2015: After tense negotiations, Greece’s bailout has been extended by another four months. In return, the new Greek government (lead by the radical left SYRIZA party) has agreed to a series of compromises, including public sector reforms, delaying a minimum wage hike, consolidating pension funds, eliminating incentives for early retirement, and clamping down on tax evasion. The full (long) list of reforms has been published by Reuters.
National governments still need to give their approval (including several parliamentary votes), but one of the key opponents to an extension, German finance minister Wolfgang Schäuble, has now asked the Bundestag to back the deal.
Some of our readers won’t be pleased by the news. We had a comment sent in by Angele, arguing that the Greek government should not be intimidated by threats and should push to renegotiate the bailout conditions in full, launching its promised welfare package and demanding a write-off or restructuring of part of its debts.
To get a response we spoke to Manfred Weber, a German Christian Democrat MEP and Chair of the centre-right European People’s Party group in the European Parliament.
We had a very different suggestion sent in from Kevin, who believes that the only sensible option available for Greece is to default on its debts, return to the Drachma and rebuild its economy.
The American economist Barry Eichengreen has argued that there are significant practical challenges to introducing a new currency, effectively making it impossible to return to the Drachma quickly and secretly. He believes that, when Greeks learned that the value of their savings was about to go down significantly, it would trigger the “mother of all financial crises”.
Furthermore, if investors realise it is possible for countries to leave the Eurozone, they may believe that Spain, Italy or some other country will be next. Borrowing rates could increase in those countries, triggering a full-blown crisis. In other words, it is not at all clear that leaving the Euro (at least, in an orderly fashion) is a realistic option.
The other problem, of course, is that SYRIZA has no intention of leaving the Euro (and there are no mechanisms in place to formally eject a country). We spoke to Stelios Kouloglou, an MEP with the governing Greek SYRIZA party. What would he say to Kevin?
Well, leaving the Euro is not our objective. We want to stay within the Eurozone, but we also want the Eurozone to make some structural changes so that the countries of the South have a more balanced relationship with the countries of the North.
Since the introduction of the Euro, the countries of the North have increased their productivity, whereas all the countries of the South – not only Greece – have become less industrial and more dependent on money coming from the rich countries. So, we have to find a new balance.
If we can find this balance then we want to stay within the Eurozone. We believe that no country can stand alone in a globalised world, so even Germany has to make alliances and work together with other countries to confront the challenges of globalisation.
Should Greece leave the Eurozone? Let us know your thoughts and comments in the form below, and we’ll take them to policy-makers and experts for their reactions!
777 comments Post a commentcomment
Also Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ireland…
Fadia check your facts first,
Ireland successfully exits €85bn bailout programme,
Ireland’s finances, budgets and policies have been under intense scrutiny since the country agreed to a massive loan package in 2010.
Its debt masters, a troika of the IMF, the European Central Bank and European Commission, have carried out 12 intense reviews over the last three years and imposed a series of tough targets, all of which were met by the state.
The Irish public has endured four austerity budgets since the EU/IMF agreed to grant the bailout.
Over those three years, the Government has hiked taxes to the tune of €5.3bn and cut public spending by a cumulative €9.6bn.
The country’s unemployment rate had soared above 15% before the start of the bailout.
In the years before the banking crisis in 2008, Ireland enjoyed virtually full employment.
The country will become the first eurozone state to have successfully completed a strict bailout programme.
To be honnest with you we should since 2010, but it seems that this was never the case. The correct question here should be : Should the people of Greece be subject of this constant “threat” which is nothing but a fraud ? Should people of Greece, SPain, Portugal, Ireland, Cyprus bailing out EU’s bank systems ? So please rephrase your question. And don;t support this false campaign.
I fumou support your thought. You are correct. Let’s stop this absurdo campaign against the South countries.
.
It is inevitable.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=428063104038078&set=a.202788083232249.1073741827.100005031758493&type=1&theater
Why should they? And then join Russia?
Well, yew it would be better for us to leave the EU and join Russia. They have a strong leader and even under very difficult circumstances, they still are one of the most powerful countries in the world. I am a conservative,and belong to a political party that believes to the European union, but i think, that we do not belong, anymore to the EU. If Russia would be better for us, then Russia should be our new ally.
Ioannis do never make the mistake of trusting the fate of a small naiton to a superpower. Historically is proven a million times that the strong eat the weak and that is what Russia will do to us if we let it. No, we should try to find a solution within the EU, we have sacrificed everyting for that right alone.
It is a typical question posed by the British. Lonely out in the cold.
@Trond Johannessen
Please try to concentrate on the forum question else you sound a tad weird – as in this case.
Of course not, Germany should do it.
It is not because one of our family is ill, we expel him from home.
If it is the home that is causing the illness, it would be wise to leave
In this house there is a virus that attacks to the most vulnerable members of the family. So the ill member should move out from this house!
Of course they should! Every European country should, im sure we could all get along without this undemocratic monstrosity!!!
Europe should abandon the euro altogether, and eventually will do so either by member state or by general consensus. The only question is whether we can be civilized or whether a catalytic event (war) will have to occur for Europe to reinvent itself. There is no ideology or practical benefit behind defending a single currency indefinitely.
A big eu family means a bigger power, i think greece belongs in the eu family. Patience and everything is going to be just fine.
Every nation has there glory days and darker days, so, where is the unity in this big european family?
Russia stands there and waits for this big project called EU to fail. I believe in a strong europe.
Bigger power for whom – the corrupt EU ‘politicocrats’?
The EU as a pole/bloc is too small demographically and geographically to be of significance in the next 20 years or so UNLESS it joins as a junior partner with the Anglosphere perhaps?
In 20 years or so Africa, China, India, Asean, Mercosur and NAFTA will all end up more powerful than little pipsqueak EU.
Yes they should. People of euro zone should consider their alternatives. EU has come to it’s end. Corruption can’t be maintained any longer. This is not peoples’ fault. Goverments and corporations harm more than ever. This should be stopped!
YES !
If they want it’s perfectly ok
NO!
No, Greece should and will not leave Europe now. We hope to have a chance, in a future nearby, to implement the Ulisses Project designed for the s Called “PIGS”
we all should leave ?zone….
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latin_American_debt_crisis
If they abandon the austerity measures then yes
Germany should
No country should leave the Eurozone except by own decision!
We’re trying to build a better Europe, where all europeans can be part of and treated as equals not to use what We’ve got done already as a form of blackmail to impose some burocratic measures!
Please stop the bull s**t of leaving the Europe .lets build one Europe plus USSR one corency…one.. Language …no borders withen Europe….let’s build .United stats of Europe .. LONG. LIVE. EOROPE………
@Joe
I say on the subject of bovine faeces YOUR post has to be the most splendorous and representative example of same.
maybe the Eurozone should leave Greece?
Re: no.
I don’t believe what I’m reading, that the German banks are taking the advantage of the Greeks… Nobody is forcing them to take loans, financed by the EU taxpayers through their banks, but once you take a loan you’re supposed to pay it back
The Greece’s debt currently is around 320 000 000000 € in 2010 was lower as rose with interest now let the numbers:
the first rescue to greece in 2010 was 110 000 € 000 000, the second bailout to Greece in 2012 was 240 000 € 000 000 in simple accounts both redemptions add up to 350 000 € 000 000.
why greece to ask a bigger loan that your debt?
Why who lent the money made larger loans that the Greek debt?
If not to save the German and French banks so why loans as high data by creditors?
Without Greece euro does not exist with tremendous impact.Maybe E.U. dissolves.The bail out was all for the benefit of market vultures with heavy interested loans namely in Greece but in fact imposed in all EUROZONE citizens.Greece has paid with 25% decrease in GDP , 1.3.million unemployed and debt increase from 120% to 180%.European leadership is cheating all european citizens and try to blame Greeks and punish the innocents with barbarian brutality.Greek fight to stand up is another a time crusial fight in the front line of democratic FREE Europe.
we should leave all this EU. If Greece goes out will be good for her and will follow closely all the other countries are finally free from this monster Troika
Without Greece euro does not exist with tremendous impact.Maybe E.U. dissolves.The bail out was all for the benefit of market vultures with heavy interested loans namely in Greece but in fact imposed in all EUROZONE citizens.Greece has paid with 25% decrease in GDP , 1.3.million unemployed and debt increase from 120% to 180%.European leadership is cheating all european citizens and try to blame Greeks and punish the innocents with barbarian brutality.Greek fight to stand up is another crusial fight in the front line of democratic FREE Europe.
Germany should be kicked out of the eurozone
NO…Let it be part in this Political Game…. Anyway, Sooner or LATER Eurozone will fall !!!
The EU has came to its end.
Let s face it and stop to getting poorer and stop scandelous corruption.People are not willing to take it anymore!
Let s have a new systhem were countries of the south stop suffering and all of them may grow
No , Greece should not leave the eurozone.There is no alternative to european cooperation for all eurozone members.
Why?.
What was wrong with the EC?
European countries should work closely together, but everyone has to be responsable for their own “kitchen”
No.
Shall they leave it,they’ll be fucked once again.
Germans have to pay their own debts firsts and after to be kicked out of e.u….
And after the union ends what?will corruption end?will polititiens become honnest?will Europ remain in peace ?will the citizens have more prosperity?what will be the cost?i have allways heard that together we stand divided we fall.
The mess shows that capitalism is just for the rich to get richer!
Germany should leave the eurozone
Its not about “Greece” Debating Europe .. Its about a BROKEN EU Oligarchy system of unelected bankers trashing Europe, everyone is “Greece” what was done to Greece, is planned for everyone, thus everyone is sick and tired of the EU its not run by Europe, its run by the ECB or Wall Street bankers, of whom not a single person in Europe has voted for, throw in the war they have started in Ukraine, anyone who still sees the “EU” as this utopian disney land of freedom and democracy, in short sadly is a moron.
All countries should leave eurozone and have their national currencies back!!!
So the Greek people are absolutely blameless in all this and have never overspent? cos in Ireland we hold our hands up and say we did..
In ireland they did not take banks’ debt from the banks and put it on people’s back and country’s external debt. This is what happened in Greece. Don’t reffer to the greek people like they are a gang that did something all together. A few thousands partied and now 10 million ppl have to pay???
not at all. but the EU leaders need to be more responsible and accountable to the people of Europe rather than to multinationals and just looking after their own political careers and pockets.
They should never have been it in in the first place!
Je suis Greek, of Europe is represented by German
Sadly, yes, Greece should leave the Eurozone and so should all those countries that cannot abide by control from outside our borders, as well as no longer be prepared to tolerate living within an undemocratic union.
Unfotunately I believe there is no alternative as we are being run by banks and corporations that do not have to adhere to the electorate. And those who are running this show are in bed with them to the extent we will never be free.
The only alternative, and this would have to be based on trust that our votes would not be interferred with, is to bring in Direct Democracy. That way, the people could reverse the downhill path we are currently on.
No, they don’t should leave. Why they should leave? They find another way of dealing with austerity. They should leave because that? Also Spain, Portugal, Italy and Ireland? Well… I would like do see where countries like Germany where would sell their goods. Where, many people write without know that germany and other like them, don’t pay as they think that happen. It’s easy to understand: european countries have created a fund, and this fund is use to give money to countries like Portugal, Greece, Spain, Ireland and Italy. But this money is from all european countries, not Germany only. It’s correct to say that Germany is one of the main contributors, but isn’t correct to say that Germany is giving money that we (PIGS) wasted. For exemple: I can give you my country exemple. Before 2008 the portuguese banks were giving money without any criteria. The law said that they must have 20% of the deposits, but they have loaned more than this percentage of security. Portuguese banks (many of them were private banks) owed money to international banks. With the crisis hitting the european system, the banks were bankrupt. What said portuguese government? He said that we – people – are living beyond our means. And for that we need to pay. But what really happen? We have paid the banks debt. The government have nationalized the private banks debt. And yes, we know that we are more poor than ever. But the portuguese people didn’t see any money. All the money goes to private banks. What will help Portugal? Isn’t your money! Help us rebuild our legal system and bring clarity to justice. We are a country of corruption. The portuguese people only cares about football and reality shows, they don’t know nothing about justice, law or economy. From this point of view this is very easy to corruption to grow.
Well this guy talk very well because all that i think about Portugal was talked for him. This is a country that only have corruption people only have the right of give all your money to country and government and only exist 2 criterias in Portugal the poor and the rich people. And in my opinion Portugal need to get back your currency because we dont have economy for Euro and that was killing us. For example when Euro comes to Portugal all spents rise for the double and income of works dont doubled like the monthly spent of workers. So for me countrys that dont have economy for Euro need to be GET OUT of that currency and TROIKA? DONT PAID THAT!!! In my point any country can take the control of any other country. And talk with respect about Portugal we have the greatest history in the World we discover the World and we divided the World in 2 parts with Spain soo please if want talk about Portugal talk with greatness because own history!!! BUT can talk with desesrespeculy manners about own political members that steal all own money!!!
Euro should include only good economies. Greece has used bookkeeping fraud and corruption. Germany, Austria, France, Benelux countries, Baltic countries and Finland are good economies. Also Spain suffers unemployment and corruption. Spain and Greece could do better with own currency. Perhaps Finland too.
@Perttu Saraniva
FTR the EU Baltic states cost states like the UK a lot of money to prop-up – suvh beggar nations are NOT IMHO ‘good economies’.
I think that Greece need truly negotiations abaut future economy because crisis take a walk abaut decade
:)
Leaving eurozone is not the solution 4greece problem :-):-)
This is a Europe of finance and not a Europe of economy. It is a good project gone bad. In Italy, youth unemployment is at 50%. Tsipras is kind of a buffoon, a person who speaks and then does the opposite … a revolutionary without revolution. He won’t leave the EU and they won’t drive out Greece. We will go on like this… privatizing the States and accumulating debt.
Unfortunately once signed up, no single country can leave the Euro without experiencing total financial chaos and collapse
Despite all the warnings about creating a currency without fiscal union, the naive idiots that forced the Euro project onto the peoples of Europe were so blinkered in their beliefs, and so driven by their egotistical dream to create a currency to rival the Dollar, that they never considered an “option B” was necessary
The poor people of Greece (and other countries) are suffering incredible hardships for no other reason than the egos of a bunch of incompetent Euro-elitist…….I hope they are feckin proud of the monstrosity they have created…
In the eurozone ,out of the eurozone,In the eurozone ,out of the eurozone, at the end of the day we will catch a cold :D
i have been reading all your comments ,and my conlclusion is exactly what i was about to add in the first place.THE RIGHT QUESTION SHOULD BE :”SHALL GERMANY LEAVE THE EUROZONE?
And the right answer should be YES!
No. I would not kick my Brother or Sister out of the house if they were ill. We should help them, …BUT they must be able to help themselves and build on the strengths of that Cultural Region.
But on the other side, if the country is broke, …how do they finance their military?
That….is true savings, economically and resource-wise…to unite the militaries of the Cultural Regions of Europe into one defense force.
I know some of the Nationalists here will disagree….but the days of Nation-States are over. The realization of the commonalities of humanity brings more advantages to all, than the dangerous misconceived divisions of the Westphalian mindset.
banks are private companies like stores. if a store goes bankrupt no one cares. it should be the same with banks. delete the debt of all southern Europe countries (Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ireland) and let the Deutsche Bank burn out and dissolve. Then it will become a European UNION.
A key aspect of the problem is the political conservativeness and shortness of Italian, spanish and Portuguese government, in opposing a government that is actually arguing for a wider change in European political economy. Austerity plans so far have failed, and not even mr.Schauble can deny that. The point of view that countries that made bad decisions in the past now have to suffer enormous social consequences and sell out most of their assets is easily refutable, quite anti-democratic and definitely anti-European. Problem is, Greece is being left alone in negotiating a different economic model from austerity, and this is very much the fault of people like mr.Renzi and mr.Rajoy. That said – of course you have to talk with the other countries, and of course the solution must be found together. The Greek government to seems less arrogant and more talkative than the eurogroup, honestly. We’ll see how it ends
Europe now is Germany. and that is really bad!! No country should overlap others!! There is no diversity of thinking any longer.
@Xana Fidalgo
It is because of ‘diversity of thinking’ that the EU has gotten into this mess. Northern standards of honesty and decency have played second fiddle to Club Med standards of corruption, machismo and dishonesty.
@Xana Fidalgo
Right. German ambition and inflexibility combined with doing business with Putin, brought Europe on the verge of collapse. What they were thinking ?
No! Never! For the sake of Greece and for the sake of European Union! :)
Should Greece leave the Eurozone?
I guess it’s inevitable. Greeks should be aware that once they are braking free, freedom comes with responsibility.
@ Paul X:
The suffocation from the US of the EU and GB is because of US government set up of Fanny Mae and Freddie Mac, Wall Street and the worthless dollar. The Euro was doing well and was about to take off globally and this was unacceptable to the US as they knew they would be swallowed up by their China borrowing. The Chinese have funded the dollar keeping it afloat. Our European taxes are being pilfered by the money markets. Stop playing the yanks game and get real. It is they who brought about our downfall not the other way around. And now they are robbing us all blind by grabbing the assetts under the disguise of debt repayment. What do you think the World Bank, IMF and the ECB along with them is. Please, don’t pretend you are stupid. You are trying to defend the indefensible.
Greece is unable to get out from under this crazy system and they have been threatened if they should do so.
My advice to the Greeks would be to use this four months they have to get free and default on the loan. Declare bankruptcy and return to the Drachma and leave the Eurozone. Otherwise their people will be unable to regain control of their land and will be enslaved.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xgxCf05Kmw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6gSAKo_0Rk
Catherine, whatever conspiracy theories are behind the cause of the current economic problems are not the subject of this topic, economic disasters have been a regular feature throughout history, the issue here is how can a country deal with these problems. The basic fact is those countries that use the Euro with its complete lack of fiscal control can do nothing and clearly it is the weakest economies that are going to suffer the most
Greece is not being prevented from leaving by threats, even with all the pre-election rhetoric from the new government they realise that to even utter that they are considering leaving will cause mass exodus of capital from their economy and a total collapse of their financial system
Forum question: a Greek- not a non Greek choice!
However, since most issues revolve around money, debt, poverty, governments, bailouts and banks (latest & ongoing unpunished global banking scandals (HSBC & friends)- why not ask the DE to consider a presentation & discussion about “ethical & alternative banking”- how would sovereign governments & the EU react?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethical_banking
http://altbanking.net/
@ Paul X:
The debt and the financial carry on is exactly why Greece and the rest are in the economic mire they are. Who are you kidding. It is all debt and finance related. As are most matters. And the relevance to this issue is paramount.
If Greece was solvent no one would be asking this question put to us at all. Greece and all of us have been systematically robbed by the Capitalist regime we live under. And at the same time, the personal backers have made a fortune from it.
The Greek islands, its lands and all of its wealth creation is being bought from them at fire sale prices. Listen to Max in the second link. These assets are worth more than the debt they have amassed. They, like the rest of us, one way and another, are facing pillage from the victors. Don’t try to pretend otherwise.
@ Paul X:
Here is confirmation of what I wrote earlier. I hadn’t seen the Telegraph before I wrote my post to you.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/11435649/Greece-to-stop-privatisations-as-Syriza-faces-backlash-on-deal.html
I say again Catherine………. the reasons Greece and so many other countries are in a financial mess is not the topic of this thread, what can be done about the mess IS on topic. I’m saying that leaving the Euro is not an option for Greece or in fact any other country, they have made their bed and they have to lie in it because any country threatening to leave will suffer a mass exodus of capital and complete financial meltdown
With any luck the eu and euro will soon be just an unpleasant memory :).
Again, Paul X, you are not making any sense. Greece is already suffering under the weight of the debt in interest or usary they are paying to mafia like banking maniacs. They are far better off using the drachma that they can print themsleves than allow those who are, as we write, pilfering their entire coutnries assets at a speed that is joyful. They are leaving the Greeks enslaved forever.
What is happening to Greece is going to happen to all of us sooner or later. And the UK has already sold its entire soul to the thieves of privatisation. Sit back and watch what happens when they begin the stranglehold. We will simply be a hated Hawaii.
Additionally, you are telling us there is no point voting for Farage either, as he will be able to do no more than Syriza. We are all bankers stooges by your way of thinking. That’s what those shafters told Iceland. They got out though didn’t they? And so can we all. Just call their bluff and see the bastards poop their pants.
The russians will try to harm europe with this kind of subjects. If russians from the villages situated on the easten border in Estonia and Letonia, will start to rise up againts the mayor and start to put some photos with some womens and childs, what do you think its going to happen? Both countrys are in eu and nato. So the key is that eu stays in this formation for now. Greece shoud think twice before getting out from eu.
And also, all kind of.people wich they are making propaganda againts eu, like here
Check out some of the acounts, no history, not so many informations, recently created. Open your eyes people.
The real question is that germans are once again falling to that logic of “one against all” while the rest of Europe falls to the same logic of “all against one”, being “all” the europeans and the “one” Germany. A logic that caused near 70 million dead over 9 years of war in our european homeland, not many time ago. The real and longterm problem in Europe (let alone the EU) is the integration of Germany, not the integration of Greece. I believe germans should realize that they will not be given a third chance! If there is a Third War, it will be indeed a genocide war. And we all should keep in mind, as a certainty, that, if EU falls, war will follow immediately….
All voters in EU should experience a bit of democracy. The few who had a say were either told try again or were ignored by unelected and unaccountable career politicians. Let us revert to what we wefe initially told it was about – free trade among independent sovereign states.
Of course not!
Maybe the Eurozone should leave Greece.
If they wish and if they pay their debt. Let Russia try to carry their economy.
Should germany leave Europe alone?
What you are really asking is “should Europe leave Greece?”.
What??
Haven’t u ever played cards?and trying to leave the table with money?(my humor is relevent to yours)
The Greeks’ interests are to be in the Eurozone. The other is the Cipras’ bluff.
My opinion is that Greeks’ should leave the Eurozone and go with Russia :) . Greeks dont care if they are in Eurozone .
NO!!!
NO!
That’s a Greek decision, but hope not.
Greece’s dept is now 350 billions!! 233 of them, have been given to the Banks, while the dept has been given to the people to pay!!! The rest of it, has been stolen by the politicians…We, people of Greece, have never touched one cent of these loans! So, if our new government agrees for us to pay for something we did not use, then YES we don’t need Europe!! The only thing we need is our dignity…
J era de prever, ns pedimos 1/4 do que eles pediram emprestado e no lhes acontecia nada? No tinham que fazer reformas…
nooooooooooooo ….the Greek Alexis Tsipras and Yanis Varoufakis economic and social policy will be successfull if the Greek huge debt could be renegotiated from one side and from the other side Greece would be able to realize a revolutionary restructuration of both the Political and the Public Administration system .. as we have suggested several times … but also in this second point its important the EU , BCE , IMF and all worldwide financial Institutions demonstrate to be able to restructure their all financial system .. blocking tax evasion , fiscal havens and most of the speculative finance … Greece alone as well as Italy cannot do much ..remember !! : http://economicsandpolicy.blogspot.it/2013/03/what-europe-should-do.html
The entire idea of the ” Eurozone” is poorly thought out and has been poorly implemented.
As I read the comments about Germany I ask,” if you don’t like the idea of Germany being the leader pull out”.
It is the only really successful country there.
The euro should be a common currency for exchange….and not a unique currency…..countries differ too much economically and therefore are not on the same level. Besides, each country should decide to do what it wants budget wise…this is real democracy….now,we don’t have financial democracy..but economic dictatorships from richer and more powerful countries and banks.
I still see some persons here who confuse european union with eurozone….pitty.
Why the hell should Greece leave? Greece has been the only country able to pinpoint the lack of coherece and justice of the European policies and the influence of the financial systems. Do the remaining countries really wish to stay under such policies? Greece is not the problem. Policies have to change and be good not just for some minority of financial interests but for the populations as a whole.
1) It was never Greece’s bailout. It was Greece’s disaster. In fact it was German and French banks’ bailout. Now it’s simply transportation of money from one lenders’ pocket to another, by charging Greece interests, just to cover the failure.
2) Others might, but Greece will never leave Eurozone. It will leave last of all. It might also ironically call its mone Euro and not drachma. If it is to become bankrupt, will be within the Eurozone… and whoever last ;)
No. German Yes, should leave!
Np
NO , they should stay , if they leave they are going to become poor country . EU should help them . Greek problem is
Corruption and crime, EU should help them to destroy corruption . Problem , you should understand Greeks ! You borrow money to corrupt country like Greece or Croatia and those money just disperse . The only thing that is left is a huge debt to poor folk . Poor folk is than just a slave to the banks and rich-corrupt people send money to secret accounts in Switzerland . Than you have problem that poor people are very angry just because they have to pay back a huge amount of cash and they have to spend life in poverty . EU should help corrupt countries in their fight against corruption and tax evasion , how much in tax has been collected from example Apple and Google in Greece = 0.00 $ . European System of Central Banks should write off debts , arrest gangsters and help poor countries to become free of slavery . http://www.transparency.org/cpi2014/results
BBC – tax evasion : Mr Henry said his $21tn is actually a conservative figure and the true scale could be $32tn. A trillion is 1,000 billion.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-18944097
Greek cash is in Swiss banks . The Tax Justice Network has said that there are over ?20 billion in Swiss bank accounts held by Greeks. The former Finance Minister of Greece, Evangelos Venizelos, was quoted as saying “Around 15,000 individuals and companies owe the taxman 37 billion euros”. A study by researchers from the University of Chicago concluded that tax evasion in 2009 by self-employed professionals alone in Greece (accountants, dentists, lawyers, doctors, personal tutors and independent financial advisers) was ?28 billion or 31% of the budget deficit that year. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Greece#Tax_evasion
Well said Vinko, the Greek government got themselves to blame for this mess. The way the Greek government have insults the Germans etc, and yet expect them to hand out billions on their terms. Then the Greeks went on about the war etc. How about the Greeks paying compensation for the civil war? atrocities in the Greek civil war, children taken from their families and sent to former eastern bloc countries. Did Alexis Tsipras and Yanis Varoufakis condemn Golden Dawn when theses thugs were attacking foreign nationals living Greece? before they came into power? no they didn’t. Euronews have reported that Athens is the most hostile capital to foreigners,Vinko mention which was in the media about Greece former finance Minister with Swiss bank account. Look like everyone in Greece is filling their own pocket from top to bottom. Seems there is no transparency in Greek politics, I don’t think Tsipras and Yanis Varoufakis will tax the rich in Greece afraid they might take their money out of the country, and put it into Swiss banks. or they have nice deal with tax officials there. Tsipras and Varoufakis can always run to Putin for money. Mind if they decide not to pay back Putin, I’m sure he send in his army into Greece, just like he did in the Ukraine, what Greece do them go crying to the EU? you see Tsipras had made some promises to the Greece people that he didn’t once blame previous government policy for the mess or the corruption going on in Greece etc. no it was the German the EU false etc. Tsipras is more worried about his ego and popularity among the Greek voters.
should Europe help Greece?? I think so, on the otherside this Europe is unuseful !
Freedom!
Freedom!
No.
No.
Yessssss
Because I read a lot of inaccuracies! Can anyone explain this? (it’s the “total debt” of specific countries at 2012, according to OECD)… https://scontent-mxp.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11012684_10204913152081176_8668268487888919128_n.jpg?oh=8a7cb077a799ad1d5ac515d7f5f88acb&oe=557EE673
It seems that nothing is like it appears! :) I would love to have a logical explanation for the diagram above!!! (and imagine it’s 3 years after the beggining of crisis!!!!!!!!)
Nikolaos- this is a poor diagram! Maybe the following info is of some help:
* “Gross external debt of a country”: total public and private debt owed to non residents by residents of a country”. See:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_external_debt
* “Internal debt” (household, local institutions etc): is part of the total debt of a country that is owed to lenders within the country.
* “Government debt”: (public debt or national debt- debt incurred by governments on behalf of its citizen’s- owed by all citizens/taxpayers & “future generations”!
see debt-to-GDP % or ratios & per capita debt:
http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/774/economics/list-of-national-debt-by-country/
General:
http://economicsconcepts.com/burden_of_national_debt.htm
Critic: Greece spend too much on “wastage” (corruption), a large expensive, unproductive and inefficient bureaucracy- instead directing their spending on income producing assets- beneficial for the country’s competitiveness & increasing their GDP.
NO
There is no Europe:There is Germany’s domination.
There is no Euro:There is the German mark camouflaged as Euro,where Germany is doing what it wants at the expense of the others.
When eurocrats are saying that “elections change nothing” that’s the end of the European Union as a project.
So if “elections change nothing” where is the much discussed “democracy” in europe? there isn’t any democracy in europe.There is only the power of the bankers and politicians.
Elections are just a stupid carnival to have people think that have any say in their countries future. They haven’t. The game is rigged in favour of the rich and the bankers and the vested interests.
Both the euro and the european union are a fraud,a failure.
I want out.
Greece must not leave ue
The eurozone was a big mistake….. This crisis was only good for the German banks earn money …. Only eurocrats earning a lot of money to do nothing……
Of course no! Maybe euro should be reviewed and monetary policy changed. Maybe euro should disappear…
Debating Europe, stop doing the same question every two weeks.
No, Greece should not leave the Eurozone. Germany should leave the European Union because it is the one and only country that constantly disagrees with everything and opposes fiscal union and further integration. Also, it should leave, if it genuinely thinks that Greece and other member-states are dragging down its own economy and that, indeed, the Eurozone is bad for its own economy.
Lets see…the real question is if Greeks want to be in the Eurozone !
Off course yes for the financial support & bail-outs but not to be responsible and pay back! Whose ever heard of retiring at 56?? Unheard of in the world!
My opinion europe should delete the eurozone
It is better to say that the euro has to leave Europe.
Yes
Greece should leave the Eurozone of Merkel.
The EU has lost its aim and focus.
Never… for those who believe in Europe still
No, Greece should get maturised and understand that has to be much more serious in relation with the other UE countries. We are living in a world where welth depends on serousness and work.
Austerity anyone ? Have some more… it’s “healthy” in long run… :)
we should all abandon the Eurozone in orther to fight the mafia… or in the other hand, we should expulse Germany…
Yes…because in Greece don t exist good conditions for have euro…And it s bad for a country witch don t have conditions for euro..All EU should work like in Germany…after tht ..Why Germany it s quilty for another witch like to stay on the beach and work no?! Euro its not good for the south east EU countries!
Germany should leave Euro.
No ! We must building the Europe not destroing it !!
Yes absolutley yes.
Leave run jump out , just get out while you can.
The eu is a maze ,once your in you cant get out.
Its a feeding trough for the american bankster/oil cartel and the leaders of the eu are nothing more than eu/usa/corporate spokespeople thats all.
Slick willies , and one world order extreemists.
The american ecb is gouging economies all over europe by demanding billions in interest for loans .
Countries need to print thier own money, not borrow from private banks, its financially destroying us all..
Printing your own money doesnt cost anything, and Greece should consider this asap..
The bank of canada just lost a court case , they were also borrowing from private banks while they have thier own bank capable of printing very nice fresh canadian dollars at no cost. The canadians also pay billions in interest to private banks for no good reason. So there is another more sensible way ..a better way . It would be nice to austerity gone, better more affordable healthcare, job security, investment, it can happen. But as long as these private banks continue to print money and we borrow it, Greece and the rest of us will be slaves to these cartels .
Its not just about Greece, its about all of us..
YES under the present circumstances when Greeks elected an extremist socialist party who rejects EU. why ? Because they are in debt to EU.
The extremists are IMF/ECB who only care about rich German bankers.
Greece should not leave.But it seams they want to.
its ok
No they shouldn’t
When Stelios Kouloglou says he wants a more balanced relationship between the South and North euro countries it is very vague ,what exactly is he proposing ? Good luck with changing anything or getting any concessions from Germany . He says even if he cannot get more balance he still wants Greece to stay within the euro . That means more of the same hardships for Greece , more debt and more austerity .
All that’s doing is kicking the can down the road and looking forward to the next crisis meeting .
I think the Greek people were expecting a bit more than a continuation of the same when they elected Syriza
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10206323464270069&set=a.1370741833176.2053729.1370663568&type=1
I do not believe that europe has plan B on Greece I really believe in the Euro will stay strong and helping each other praticipants redemption join the orders of higher authorities for Euro waterings are to meet in accordance with the benefits of vulnerable communities
The best option
It’s the best option for Greece to leave and consider devaluation so as to stabilise their economy. It’s not necessary to have common currency when things are bad in respective economies with exception of Germany and few. …
This debate seems very strange to me and I am confused about its aims. I believe this question should be answered only by the Greek people who’ve made huge sacrifices thus far to be part of the EMU. National debt isn’t a Greek problem only and I wonder whether you should be asking all other EU members facing similar problems the same question. A better question might be around what policy responses the EU develops (and how) to overcome the global financial crisis.
As a Greek I definitely don’t want to see my country out of the EMU!
And why not out of EMU? Do you seriously prefer debt slavery over being better off? You and many other people need to break that psychological barrier that prevents you from doing what is best for you.
The Euro is an unmitigated disaster for Greece and the rest of Club Med countries, why do you cling so bitterly to that which impoverishes you?
I did not vote for the present Government in my country, but under these circumstances, i think we should leave the Union and Euro.
Yes.
No.
They have 32 years or so of the same coming, its a mess and its time to cut losses.
The american bankster cartel will find other troughs to feed from.
What greece owes is what the cartels spend yearly on wars, removal of goverments , destabilization of countries etc. Its what Bill Gates has as chump change, or the Rothschilds make per month, its only money .
Greece needs to get out like many other countries in the eu trap, regain their sovereignty, thier country, thier dignity.
Look at ICELAND, they rejected the eu , locked up a few cartel banksters, and they have fully recovered..
Lots of countries have devaluated thier own currencies, given the cartels a haircut and have gone on to recovery..
EU scaremongering in the media should stop, but we all know who controls the media . Yes the cartels…
This is a decision entirely for the Geeks they are a grown up democratic country. Other EU countries have no rights to intimidate them to go one way or the other.
For the life of it I don’t understand why they haven’t done so already, seeing as that would make them infinitely better off.
But hey, if they continue to want more and more austerity so German and French bankers can have bonuses, who am I to tell they can’t have that?
The EU/IMF/ECB really do think that rich bankers are more important than ordinary people, did you hear about their latest proposals?
“Don’t pay salaries for a few months to fund bankers bonuses”… well how magnanimous of them, this socalled ‘not-the-Trojka’.
THAT is the state of things. This is what happens if you let unelected undemocratic politicians and appointed ‘leaders’ of ‘international’ institutions overrule democratic governments and parliaments. Since 2008 we have seen non-stop policies that benefit the rich, the multinational corporations and the banks. And as always, austerity for the common man (or woman).
Ukraine is another example, right now the IMF is looting the place on behalf of foreign (non-Ukrainian) multinationals, and at the same time insisting on ‘austerity for the people’ aka big increases in gas and electricity prices, slashed spending on education, healthcare ea, slashed pensions etc… Ukraine: one pro-Russian set of oligarchs out, the next set of pro-western corporate oligarchs in. The oligarchs and foreign multinationals benefit, the rest of the people, not so much.
Europe has to forgive the debts of Greece. If Greece bankrupts whole Europe is going down the drain. Greece was a big investor in the neighbor countries. They lost their businesses to Germans and they have to get it back. Help Greece stabilize. The same goes for Cyprus.
No
Ethnically we are Europeans and I am proud of it. Our position is in the European Union! Every EU country feels like home to me! We just need to work on our politics and finance!
It wouldn’t really change anything to the better.
.
Of course they will, the ‘Euro’ is nothing more than political lie and as always been just a temporary currency.
Should Eurozone RETURN to human orientation politics and not making the rich more richer, YES YES YES.
No. Greece is very important to the geopolitics of Europe and the UE leaders should help the country to recover from the disastrous politics of the previous governments they had.
Should Eurozone sent home the bankers and place humans at their place, YES YES YES.
Yes!
Yep
Yes. Buy buy
Should Eurozone REMEMBER that it belongs to Europe and its citizens and not to bankers, YES YES YES.
Euro..is not eurozone( eurozoni). We are European with good relations cooperations and market study ideas but Euro is too hard for small economies and countries without big industies. They close even those who was healthy and strong. Money for…nothing
No never can’t leave Greece euro zone ” Greek people is gone die after that
No. Basically because I feel a member of the EU and Greece, lets face it, it’s not the real problem, the banks are.
The Eurozone is the same as the Union. Leaving the Eurozone means not leaving the Union.
no way at all. We HAVE to HELP’em.
Eurozone without GREECE does not exist.
Sure no!!
It’s against the interests of my country to leave the Eurozone. It’s against EU’s interests for Greece to leave the common currency.
No, what we need is for our growth to start happening. Here in Greece we face a serious issue
The previous goverments were highly corrupt and were recyclying themselves by ensuring along with other mafia-like families who actually own entepreneurship on the interanationally exportable products (the ones that can actually end poverty with susttainable growth) that the people of Greece will never be able to liberalize the economy and have foreign serious investors start bringing money and jobs to us.
If that happened the corrupt officials would lose everything.
Here ist the thing however: The newly elected goverment are not tied to this corrupt system and have promised to change it. The bad thing is that they are hardcore leftist- idealists who dream of a non-liberal economy for Greece.
The entire planet however is built on liberal economies so we may have changed officials but corrupt/ not corrupt the end rresult is the same, we cannot liberalize our economy and get ourselves out of the crisis.
We need a far more politically unified Europe to get out of this mess. Don’t expect Greece to recover any time soon even Tsipras is not corrupt.
Share the Euro, share the debt, share the pain, its the only way it can work as a currency.
Fortunately we will never join it.
If Greece left the Eurozone, it will also open a pandora box, not only for Greeks, but also for other Eurozone users
Of course , becouse if you do not remain the Greece member of the European Union , The European Union will are disabled!!!
Nope.
NO!
The bankers and the incompetent politicians who allowed all this to happen should all leave the EU!
Don’t punish the Greek people for the errors of some insane bankers and politicians!
these europe,? yes
Well, let’s see. Should California leave the dollar? Probably, not the wisest thing. Europe must change direction. At this moment the €Z only functions for the benefit of corporations. It is as if we have entered another type of industrial revolution, where people/workers were producing goods, they were under paid, and therefore they could not buy the goods they were producing.
Germany alone would need to hire 8 million highly skilled professional by 2030 (http://www.ted.com/talks/rainer_strack_the_surprising_workforce_crisis_of_2030_and_how_to_start_solving_it_now). To me this is a self-proven reason why Germany and other super developed European countries why they have been misbehaving. No country has absolutely respected the fundamental reasons that led to the birth of the €Z.
Leaving the eurozone is like leaving the roman empire.
You should have never joined in the first place. Once you’ve fallen you are at the mercy of the “geromans”.
Yes
Yes, let them leave the E.U. as well!
No, the EU commission should leave the EU and give us a real EU government.
ITALY nothing more than GREECE
Italy also leave?
Yes
Yes … Keep your leader for you , enough with Germans who want all Europe !!!
Enough with paying 5 times the debt and same time GERMANS have 4 raze in two years !
Enough !
Oh give us a break ! You’ve become so boring and predictable !!
Immediately
I can understand the logic of a grexit from the eurozone, both from a greek and a european point of view, but we should make it abundantly clear that leaving the eurozone has nothing to do with leaving the EU. Greece is an integral part of the EU and there is no reason whatsoever to change that.
No.
Yes
UEM Treaty doesn’t admit that a State Member can leave the UEM. :D
If they are not paying their bills, yes they should leave the Eurozone.
Greece will be better off,leaving the antidemocratic EU.
The last 5 years ECB has bought a large part of Greek debt from other banks.its not simple.and its not for us to talk about it.
Hell no
This question is SO STUPID!!!! You would let countries like Greece (where thousands of years ago born democracy and the “legend of Europa”) leave the euro currency (and maybe also the EU) and let an Islamic and authoritarian country like Turkey (which has nothing in common with us) to join the EU??!!! I see EU politicians are completely crazy, better for EU citizens to move to Russian Federation or USA, at least these 2 big federations are much better than us.
Definitely not. If it happens the union will become poorer
Should Eurozone leave the Greece?!
There’s no Europe without Greece…
Yes, let them fend for themselves if they do not want austerity; we had austerity because of them, we want our money back, bank or no bank, the buggers
Could the Eurozone survive any member-state exit?That’s the real question.
Of course they can, but the financial road to recovery will perhaps lead Greece to having many Faustian deals. I would prefer that Greece remained. I heard a Spanish diplomat refer to the crisis as like a party. Spain and Greece went to a bar and it seemed that were free drinks all round. Then the barman, the European Bank showed them the bill.
Of course not, we are all Europeans!
no, why would one think at such a thing, it is stupid indeed to let this ideas on one’s mind, a lot of waves they can start with such a mesure and it would be all for tomorrow
Should eurozone rediscover logic?
Shouldn’t Germany leave the euro?
It’s the country whose economy doesn’t fit the requirements of the rest of us.
NO!!!
Yes!
NO
Portugal tb deveria sair do euro. A desunio da Europa
No
Yes…then the eu too.
No, it should be tossed out
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10205342094124459&set=pb.1011554714.-2207520000.1431350733.&type=3&src=https%3A%2F%2Fscontent-mxp.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-xfa1%2Fv%2Ft1.0-9%2F11036805_10205342094124459_6326382812980410839_n.jpg%3Foh%3Da9dbd23e125d79baf69c7a0ce57b7e35%26oe%3D55CDC34E&size=630%2C420
There is no mechanism for leaving the Eurozone.
Be certain that Greece will leave last from the Eurozone! In fact, she’ll keep the name of her currency “Euro”, just for irony! ;)
I believe that Greece should not leave the Eurozone and that is why.
On 2009 every body became aware that Geece had, among other,two major problems.First, a huge governmental dept,and second a monstrous yearly deficit of almost16% of GDP.After discussions between Eurozone countries,a solution approach was reached ,according to which, all greek dept would be taken over by the rest of the EZ countries andIMF(to be paid back in many years to come),whereas Greece would start making the necessary reforms,under the suggestions and supervision of the TROICA,so as to achieve a balanced government yearly budget.It seems that, this effort was believed to bring the necessary results within 4-5 years,without bringing such a crisis to the society.
The reason why this happened, i believe is, that both parts of the story went wrong.First,the greek governments ,working in a clientistic way, did not pursue the difficult reforms,but went on with horizontal measures,that destroyed the economy.On the other hand TROICA,was more than it should, optimistic about its proposals ,i believe because the models it used were based on experience with countries of different mentalities and governmental”procedures”.Due to the clientistic manners of almost all Greek governments the message that was passed to the Greek society (and has to a high degree been absorbed) is that
TROICA is responsible for the misery and especially the German government(for the known reasons).
I believe that Greece,will be destroyed for many years to come if it gets out of the EZ.This is not understood in the country because nobody tells the trouth about such a case.And the trouth is ,that over the problem of instant and afterwards cotinueous depreciations,the country would still have to pay its international dept,which by that time would be app.350-400 % of its GDP(if the GDP stays at todays levels,otherwise 500-600% of that time GDP)
So my suggestion is that a compromise should be reached between TROICA and the Greek government.
Yes please
If a european country has a problem such as economic crisis, it is not the county’s issue but, the eurozone’s corrupted system. How about letting Greece to create euro instead of Germany using real values, recreating europe? The biggest issue right now is that we are heading to split europe in two parts. south and north. That means the creation of two different economic type of euro. That mean the economic Bounds between south and north, wont let the poorer people to pass from the south to north. Also dont forget the immigrants who survived from middle east and are going to europe for a better life condition. The north doesn’t wants them and as a result Greece is becoming a box of souls with no money to take care of. How they are going to survive in a country that can not even survive by itself under this european conditions and way of thinking? (by eating other people?) Remember we spend billions and trillions on weapon systems for killing other people but when it comes to talk for a european society and globalization we have no money. ”You can fool some people some times but you cant fool all the people all the time.” And something else.
the Greek marbles must return back to their homeland. Then we could start discussing about Grexit or Germanexit or Francexit. Euro or Geuro.
YES
A new europe is needed…true that greece made mistakes. ..so did many other countries and their turn will come unless new policies are adopted.Mr Romagnoli made here a very wise comment…the wisest i can read so far.But if the euro is here in order to destroy a country …let it leave it…but european union without Greece would be ridiculous and shameful.
Everybody should leave!
no
If they wouldn’t follow the simple rules…..
No
.
Every country that joins the EU MOST join the Euro at some point, so Greece leaving the Eurozone will inevitably lead to them leaving the EU.
No.
NO
leaving eurozone is not th3 solution to the problem of greece
A Grecia e todos
Yes…
Not only greece, also italy, spain, ireland and portugal..because this kind of europe not represents us!!!
Greece is a bottomless pit, living on borrowed money that they will never pay back. The logical decision would have been the euro exit right from the beginning. This will eventually happen but after many hundreds of billions vanish away.
NO!
No!!!
Ok lets leave eurozone and see what happens… !!!
E Portugal?
Europe does not exist! Because everybody has their own finances army etc… A french guy is not european he is french! A dutch guys is dutch not european so on and so forth!! Europe is a psycological excuses to make us feel united yet we are more apart because all we care is our country status comparing to other EU all countries has their standards! No EU STANDARD basicaly the eu make us poorer with the euro currency the only smart ppl were britain who kept their and the pound are above us! Europe is a joke!!!
Yes Greece should leave the EU.
If Greece leaves many other EU countries will follow. The panic that will be caused in the markets alone will hit the euro so hard that even the “healthier” countries will feel its effects.
no, no, no
no, no, no
No!
No!
No. If a state decides to leave the Union that’s on them. But we’re trying to get all states in the euro zone, so why would we want one to leave it. In the future, no no country should be granted statehood of the EU without fulfilling and accepting the criteria to adopt the euro upon joining the EU.
No. If a state decides to leave the Union that’s on them. But we’re trying to get all states in the euro zone, so why would we want one to leave it. In the future, no no country should be granted statehood of the EU without fulfilling and accepting the criteria to adopt the euro upon joining the EU.
You la
You la
There isn’t possible to leave eurozone without leaving EU, no article allows that, look the treatys!!!
There isn’t possible to leave eurozone without leaving EU, no article allows that, look the treatys!!!
?he sooner,the better…..im greek.
?he sooner,the better…..im greek.
NO!!!!!
Greece and the UK should leave the EU immediately!
The Greece is only a smail part of the economy of the Euro to Greece leaving the monetary union would not be a disasters and would be even better to Greece must comply with the watering of the monetary union game
Should germany leave the eurozone?
Well if Greece really feel they can go it alone then fire ahead. Im sure their industry and honest government will get them all back on track – we wont be able to go on holidays to greece though;(( but ill keep buying olive oil from you
??!!!
No!
well if you want to “destroy”, in a scale of ten years, most of the post communistic democracies and economies of EU group now, you can let Greece to leave Eurozone. If you want cheap working power from them though, you don’t do that.
I think all the countries from the south of Europe should leave the Euro. To get out of the crises we need a bit of inflation and rise of sallaries, as the Europian leaders do the opposite, in the euro we get every year deeper in the crises and the banks and multinationals get richer on our account.
NO , Greece should stay in EU but EU police should investigate their corruption and help them to solve their problem with debt.
No
That shows only the economic points of Europe and NOT interesting of Comune Europe Union culture diversities believes of protection and future development societies collaboration, life without war. The reason of Greece Debits must be for all as lesson, but EU must show that are stronger any crises,
That shows only the economic points of Europe and NOT interesting of Comune Europe Union culture diversities believes of protection and future development societies collaboration, life without war. The reason of Greece Debits must be for all as lesson, but EU must show that are stronger any crises,
No!
NO, NO,NO. Greece has to stay in the Eurozone . Greece needs to be part of the European Superpower. China has recently said that it wants enlargement of business investments in Greece because Greece is a member of the EU and the Eurozone, What needs to be done in the flawed eurozone is that it needs to be reformed so we have a functional Economic Transfer Union like there is in the United States. The other thing that needs to be done is for Greece to open up its closed economy which has created all this financial , economic and social problems in Greece. .
Leave the euro and leaving eurozone must not be the same thing. One thing is sure, europe needs UK and Greece to be a part of it. We leave them with the responsability for them to do the smart thing for them and for us.
Definitely not leave Europe or Schengen or anything, but maybe switch to a new coin that allows to devaluate it. However, they should prohibit exchange fees.
It`s the only way for Greece and for EU.
Yes, all Europe should abandon the monstrous European Union. Do we really need a middle man to trade with each other?
Big time yessssss!!!!!!!
Pay and way out
Yes but No within the next 5 years. We need a new Parallel Currency to be introduced.
yes
If Eurozone means to be a country with permanent financial crisis in order to have a cheap Euro and a prosperous small group of countries around Germany, Yes ….Greece as many other countries should live Euro.
I am not sure if it wasn’t better for Greece to leave the Euro. I hope so and wish them success. And my country next.
The fact is unlike other countries in the EU Greece spent to much money that it did not have and made itself virtually bankrupt. It was Greece’s decision to spend the money so it is clearly Greece’s responsibility to rectify the situation. Other countries can help a little but the main burden must rest with Greece. Greece cannot expect other countries who also went through bad times to risk their hard earned financial stability by donating their reserves to a country that managed to squander their own money.
No.But we should protect human under the poverty limit.
We Greeks are and feel Europeans. I personally feel as much European as I am Greek. I consider all European countries as MY HOME!! Just because the polititians have different interest it doesn’t mean that we should leve our union.
If they want to, yes. Probably would be good for the EU as well.
A potential “default” and a GR-exit would be definetely a bless for the Greek people who have suffered dramatically and have sacrificied their works, lives, dreams and dignity in the name of a German imposed austerity; Our unemployment rate is almost 26% officially, we have more than 7000 suicides in the last 5 years, an enormous brain drain (some speak for almost 300.000 new immigrants) , almost half of the population living under the poverty line etc etc. Greece’s debt is very small compared to that of Italy’s of Holland’s. And while in the Netherlands the minimum wage is more than 1200 euros in Greece the minimum wage is between 400-500 euros. So it is totally stupid and hypocritic to accuse the Greeks for being lazy or for refusing the “reforms”. Which reforms actually? And Eurozone is asking “reforms” from our people in terms of the pensions and salaries and more firing, while all these measures cost sth between 1-2 bn euro. Do you happen to know how much money the pension’s funds lost with the PSI restructure? And in the core of the problem; Do you know how much did the recovery of the banks cost to the national debt? Some argue an amount of 250 bn euros! So how can the Eurozone dare to accuse a whole nation for not doing “reforms”? This EU is not functioning. This EU is not hearing the voices of its people. This EU needs to change now (see the results in Spain and Poland) If it is does not change, then I am sorry but the best solution for my homeland Greece, is to “default” and return to Drachma! http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2011/dec/08/europe-working-hours
If Greece leaves, the EU will decend into chaos, and others will follow .. Greece isnt asking for much, it was GAURENTEES that if it signs Brussels “package” that that package will END the 6 year never ending crisis in Greece, EU refusing to give gaurentees, as it wants to turn Greece into a thrid world countr, Greece will join BRICS the following morning and billions in investments will pour into Greece, if the EU doesnt want to deal with Greece, others will.
#Grexit is an unwise and anachronistic idea for #Greece & #Europe as a federal concept! Its also legally, politically and financially not feasible! Greece belongs to Europe & Europe belongs to Greece! ❤️🔫
No.
Greece will leave Eurozone and will return to Drachma, only if it receives reductions of Maastricht treaty percentages about agricultural and industrial production and of course only if the North European countries set vast investments in those sectors. Those, though, aren’t going to happen soon, so i think that EU is going to collapse sooner than we expected and that will happen mostly because of the greediness of many North countries..
Please do that so that Macedonia can enter in EU and later impose a veto on Greece’s reentrance so that that could see and realise that the world does not revolve around them. Who the hell gets bonus on salary for coming on time. It was only possible on the shoulders of German taxpayers.
yes ….
All the rich people place their monay in foreing banks ! No state inspection. .
It would be another excuse to get more money out of everybody
A marriage needs both two to work it out and do things wright. And most of the times love is not all about it!
The solution to the current economic crises in Greece is implementation of wide spread Economic and Structural Reforms with a 300 billion euro global investment in the MT OLYMPUS VENTURES project in Greece and the global economy, which will stimulate more than 2.4 trillion euros in global economic growth , from the economic multiplier effect. https://twitter.com/Olympus42
Hellas should stay in EU but Europe should help us throw out the crazy far-left government we have.They are crazy people and dangerous for the country.
Of course not!! This is why we should stick together!! Today Greece has problems! What if in the future another European country has?? We will help in any way we can!! This is what a Union means!!
The Eurozone should leave Greece.
Greece is the birthplace of Europe. No EU without Greece but a EU without nationalism!
~ 26,45 TRILLION U.S. DOLLARS… CHECK IT!
Nobody leaves, we are all Europeans and everyone counts!
Economist here: We don’t really even have to ASK what happens in the event of a greek default. Obviously, there are creditors holding on to large amounts of greek paper out there somewhere, who would take an enormous financial hit.
This is exactly what happened to cyprus. They had a banking sector which was larger than their GDP, and their banking sector took a large hit because of the greek paper held in their banks’ portfolios.
So…where in europe is the banking sector very large relative to the GDP? In the northern parts. Banks in countries like Luxembourg, Ireland, and Netherlands would suddenly be in a lot of trouble.
I think Greece should leave the eurozone for it’s own interests but never E.U, nor shoud Greece ally with Fascist Russia.
Yes. As a Greek I hope so. Would never be worse. Leaving eurozone doesn’t mean to leave EU and Europe. Denmark and Sweden for example are not in Eurozone but are in EU
I think Greece should leave the Eurozone if there’s the possiblity of a coming back after some draining of the money crisis there.
for the sake of those EU countries who had to contribute No. for the greeks probably the best solution but than they can not expect any EU aid or business
A sore ass
If Greece leaves the EU, then it will succeed in a growth sth like 8-9% YoY and more countries will follow ( UK, France, …) and then Europe will never Unite again under Common Goals and Policies. But there is no EU Mechanism in place to deal with a Member State that defaults upon its Debt. So it will be very – very interesting. We the Greeks will just sit calm and watch. We have nothing to lose. Look at Podemos… We are not the only Country with Problems. If we can not resolve our problems in the EU, we will seek elsewhere for Solutions. We are not a threat to the EU, but what will follow a Grexit or Greek Default in the EU, will DIS-UNITE the Entire Continent. Look at the Geopolitics, look at the Map and get serious.
Θα τους πάρει όλους και θα τους σηκώσει!Αυτό.
No
next is UK and then Europe can stay with Merkel and her little puppy France alone in a historic disaster! Merkel must be fired, its urgent for the good of the EU
No they should be thrown out
In spite of, what obviously seems to be the overall public opinion in the EU, the Greek are not the incompetent lazy bastards, that want the rest of the EU to pay for their dolce vita. They are hard working people, that want to contribute their share, and want to be part of EU. The only problem, that makes negotiating the situation difficult is, that IFKAT only sees one solution for solving the Greek financial problems. They lent Greece money, and Greece uses 90% of this money for bailouts. Nobody can meet this kind of expectations. Not even Greece. Austerity can be a solution, but not in this grade. So, yes to EU, no to extreme austerity.
No. :)
That is a sovereign decision of the Greek people.
It depends. If the people in Greece benefit with such event they should leave.
EU know what is situation in every country in EU and eurozone why than you accept every country without help them to stand on their own legs in economy and entire walue of EU isnt that true meaning of EU…..!!?My both contry are in EU but so far of true EU.
The impact would be the bringing of the crisis to a head, instead of letting it drag on interminably. It would force Germany to reconsider its own responsibilities for mistakes in the management and design of the euro.
They shouldn’t be kicked out or forced to stay, but if they leave the Eurozone everyone will lose
Collapse of the euro. This would be the effect of a Greek default. Which means collapse of German trade.
What is the impact of the “Eurausterity” in all the EU country’s. That’s the question!
The hypothetical(and impossible) Exit , not only of Greece, but of every country that now consists Eurozone would be fatal and destructive not only for the country but for the whole Eurozone itself. STOP the needless and imbecile scare of the EU citizens and combat ALL TOGETHER for our Eurozone’s solidarity and coherence.
Question is….which eu? Nobody(exept germans ) needs a german eu…because today THIS is europe….and alexandra de klerk who says to you that we want to be europeans?????? The termine greek( ellinas) is biger than the termine european as well as in maths. Because to us greeks, belongs the termine europe and european, the western( greek/ roman) civilitation. And yes, we are proud to be orientals and westerns… This is our geografical position and our culture. If youre proud of your western civilitation, keep it, we are not interested
Yes. Greece is a massive socialist shithole that can only bring europe lower and lower
The question is “should Greece leave the Eurozone” yet most commenters think that it refers to Greece leaving the EU. EU and the Eurozone are obviously not the same. Many EU members are not in the Eurozone. Get your facts straight.
If they will leave they will suffer the effect for 3 to 5 years. After that their economy will flourish.
And if all nothing more than a plan to dominate Europe. The draft build a strong Europe was a failure. The finaceiro system is at the seams. http://www.amazon.com/Inicio-Guerra-Mundial-Europa-Portuguese/dp/9899863920/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1432737172&sr=8-3&keywords=nuno+nogueira+silva
Greece leave that europe
Catastrofic.
Of course not!
Many confuse eurozone and european union…. no country is obliged to be in the eurozone in order to be in the european union…..and out of the eurozone will be painful. ..but not only for Greece.
How is it possible to be worlwide known to live on a supposedly rich and prosperous continent and have all these stupid, ridiculous ,destructive, paralysing, ineffective austerity measures…? Enemies of europe wouldn’t act more negatively than those who impose austerity now.
Yes! Should then the remaining countries change the Greek name of Europe, Euro or should the Greeks charge the others for the unlawful continuation of Greek words from other countries?
Another question: What do the Greeks want to do?
Wake up guys. There is no way Greece leaves the Eurozone due to its geopolitical position. The U.S. does not want Greece to leave the Eurozone and Europe can only obey to Obama’s wish.
U.S. can not risk Russia to take advantage of this situation when around us there are important developments (Ukraine, Israel isolated, situation in the ME)
After they ve paid their debts if they want
Eurozone is good for richer Countries.Not so good for the others.
This is a very stupid situation. Greece is te place that gave a name to the continent we live on. Just because Germany and France have their waltz dancing in any country they want, klling thw winyard in Spain and chickens in Romania, it doesnț mean the should decide instead of Greece. In my opinion EU is not functional yet for all the European countries.
The end of the eurozone cause greece basically is kicked out by Germany .with the lost of trust there will be the end to this multinational economic Union because countries like Germany seem to prioritize national interest than the common European…
No never of EU from the Euro yes
The sooner the better.
YES. Eurozone doesnt represent a political union or any european people but interests of oligarchy and banksters against democratic values! Eutozone is sick and will die.
Never – Greece is a part of Europe we are united and strong – In varietate concordia forever!
Bad , we should’t let Greece to go back into poverty and chaos . If the leave EU they are going to become poor country again . They should stay in EU but they should allow EU police to investigate their corruption . They should destroy their corruption and crime otherwise in just 15 Years time situation is going to be similar . Greeks can’t pay back , all should accept that. Their dept is 175.1% of GDP (2013) , that is imposible to pay back .
Corruption and crime : Problem , you should understand Greeks ! You borrow money to corrupt country like Greece or Croatia and those money just disperse . The only thing that is left is a huge debt to poor folk . Poor folk is than just a slave to the banks but rich-corrupt people send money to secret accounts in Switzerland and other countries. Than you have problem that poor people are very angry just because they have to pay back a huge amount of cash and they have to spend life in poverty . EU should help corrupt countries in their fight against corruption and tax evasion , how much in tax has been collected from example Apple and Google in Greece = 0.00 $ . European System of Central Banks should write off debts , arrest gangsters and help poor countries to become free of slavery . http://www.transparency.org/cpi2014/results
BBC – tax evasion : Mr Henry said his $21tn is actually a conservative figure and the true scale could be $32tn. A trillion is 1,000 billion.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-18944097
Greek cash is in Swiss banks . The Tax Justice Network has said that there are over €20 billion in Swiss bank accounts held by Greeks. The former Finance Minister of Greece, Evangelos Venizelos, was quoted as saying “Around 15,000 individuals and companies owe the taxman 37 billion euros”. A study by researchers from the University of Chicago concluded that tax evasion in 2009 by self-employed professionals alone in Greece (accountants, dentists, lawyers, doctors, personal tutors and independent financial advisers) was €28 billion or 31% of the budget deficit that year. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Greece#Tax_evasion
Che cosa direbbe Socrate della situazione attuale?
All the southern European countries should leave the euro. For us it means only batches of austerity, to avoid that we get out of the crises. This is imposed by Germany to help get richer the banks and the multinationals. With the loans , the majority of the mony was for the bank and for us the austerity. We are fed up of thus cheating.
If this happens it’s on Germany, I don’t think they can afford more bad karma
No, we should understand and know that the greeks allready did many sacrifices. We love you brothers, hugs from a portuguese
well,i would like to rephrase the question.If eurozone knew obviously that the last 5-6 years,but in the previous years too,were not happening any reforms ,it was corruption everywhere ,the oligarchs ruled the country ,why e.u was keeping on “lending” money to Greece?
And i have another question.It happens that i work in a tourism resort,i own a small company.I talk a lot with my customers,all my life i liked to do that.In the past 12 years we have been talking with different kinds of people around europe about european union,the eurozone ,the crisis later on ,etc.I havent met anybody,nobody to admit that our lives became better after the establisment of euro as a currency.That is the problem for e.u ,and of course a change,or even a revolution in the policies that r being followed…
Ask the Greeks… They demand special treatment while challenging reform…
The source of the troubles that GR is facing now didn’t come from the currency, but from the bad management of the public finances, corruption and lies. The solution is not changing the currency but improving the wrong doings so far. All these take time and greeks living in GR must comply with these changes and support them. That is the only way out.
yes they should return to their magnificent drahmi.
To the Greeks here even if we go back to drachma we gonna need an austerity progam to recover ten times harder than the current one .do we have the political staff to implement such policies ? A Big No .Our problems cannot be solved if we don’t change simple as that
it would be a start
Bill Alpas…..
No way! Some years ago (2009 or there about) California went bankrupt and did not stop using the dollar. So why should Greece leave the Euro???
Que Europa? A Europa comandada pelo general alemão? Esta Europa só interessa aos Alemães que conseguem instalar a fome noutros Países que são governados pelos beija mãos.
Zero!
Zero!
No one will allow that to happen….it’s a game of trading…..for the best possible conditions for the debt. If that happens the whole EU will collapse.
of course yes . THE ONLY WAY FOR GREECE TO RESTORE ITS ECONOMY IS TO RETURN TO DRACHMA AND DEVALUATE ; it will boost economy and tourism. GREEKS WILL LOSE SOME ASSETS but they took so much advantage from europe . 30 years ago it was cheap to go to greece now it is as expansive as france .
no, they dont have to be left outside!!!
The dream, is a Europe of prosperity, not a divided Europe with children of a lesser and of an upper God.
Otherwise the dream becomes a nightmare and this partnership has no meaning of existence, (except for those who deceitful earn from it)!
Of course it’s out of the question, that if Greece forced to leave Euro, Eurozone will survive. Its dissolution is only a matter of time!… Everybody knows that!!!
Will be the best for Greeks as well as for UK or any country.
.
Greece should stay in the Euro, declare themselves bankrupt and let the rest of the Eurozone pay off their debts.
Share the currency, share the debt.
sim, se eles quiserem. não, se forem pressionados.
Yes
Greece is a victim of the speculation. Unfortunately, when pressure comes the EU-States don’t be united. When they wanted the Greece to join they were welcome. Now they are exploited. Seems that now it is to proof, if there is a united EU or not. Otherwise EU will fall to peaces again. There should have been a mutual Vision. http://www.WWSEEP.com . Together we are stronger than alone. Start Solidarisation. Not conflict.
If Europe shows Greece (Hellas) the way out, then the great European “dream” will have failed its basic purpose.
And dominoes will start falling…
BALKAN PRIDE Against EU !!!
Νο one will allow that happen thanks to Olivier Dutreil we have to die this is not european union
Should England leave the Eurozone? this is the question, not Greece :-)
European policies have destroyed Greek economy, now European elit show Greece as the bad guy. European solidarity is a myth, here in Greece we wish other european countries not to live this living experiment that Greeks experienced.
most definitely.
Let the Greeks leave the E.U.monetary Zone, they can still live on within the E.U. borders like U.K. or Sweden or Poland! Even if it would cause a bit of problem for the financial, economic concerns of European Central Bank, it is still far less than the damage caused by months or years of uncertainty and “blackmail” of Greece towards European solidarity. Leaving eurozone and suffering of staying alone, would also show other members who are considering to leave that there are much benefit of the euro currency as well!
Should Schauble s Germany stay in E.U.?
Yes!
How is that going to solve anything for either Greece or the EU?
Yes, sure! For the safety of Greece itself! Each country must leave both the Eu and the €uro
its time for Germany and Italy to leave the eurozone and to build a real EU based on social values for all, eg the 120 million europeans with disabilities !!!
Why is a marxist country in the eurozone in the first place?
More and more Greece goes to the 1997 scenario in Bulgaria.
Its a bit too late for that
After its paid its debts and if it wants
Should Eurozone leave Greece ? :)
not that we had the money to pay
No Way and No Pay at all.
Both
Yes yes and yes is much better for Greeks
No.
yes, to end this circus
Italy top !
Italy too
Should Germany leave in peace Eurozone and Europe?
Greece has paid a lot more than its debt!
It has been paying ECB and IMF for almost a year, without loaning from anywhere!
It is the only country in the world, doing something like that!!!
We should stop paying anymore, without leaving Eurozone!!!
No.
Yes, is the simple answer :)
That wouldn’t make the problem go away, now would it?
Yes
Yes!
Yes.
There is no future for Greece outside the Eurozone, really. Some say that in the long run it would be a successful choice, but truth is that Greece simply cannot afford the economic disaster that would follow inevitably immediately after (not to mention that debts contracted in Euros should be repaid in the same currency). They would experience great inflaction, an additional increase of poverty and unemployment, they would not be capable to buy the necessary imported goods and so on.
So the answer is very simple: NO.
Greece MUST
.
No !, they should stay in the Eurozone and force the countries that share the currency to pay off their debts and then leave.
The federalist fanatics wanted the single currency so they should pay for it.
Wipe the euro out.
Your article is incorrect . Greece was granted an exception , and was allowed to consolidate all 3 payments in one enormous payment at the end of the month .
Well.. they efinetly have to change the way they spent the EU money, decrease the public money spent.. But I hope they can stay in the eurozone. If not they will sufer a lot in the next 5 years or so..
We all knew that!! 😉 Its part of the game of saving Greece! Tsipras not so relevant though!
Yes
Greece should leave the Eu immediately and join to the Post-Svoiet Russia and the Eurasian Union.
No
Greece is the Cancer of the continent.
The best way for Greece leader is making a series of reforms on reconstruction of domestic financial system by this opportunity.
NO!
Greece will leave eurozone as Argentina did it by leaving fixed currency rate with US dollar in 2001…
Yes they should for their own good
Follow the news… They asked for an exception made only once before: make on payment at the end of the month. Although they might be trying to buy some time they still are respecting the agreements.
I hope not, but Tsipras is mad.
Would it be even remotely possible for a Greek default without leaving the Eurozone?
The right questions should be: Should Eurozone change into a true Union? If yes… countries stay where you are… if not then forget about Union altogether..
Before joining EU,every one used to print money.””No problems”.
Yes please !! This is not a Eurozone ,this is a Euroslavery!
The poor countries in europe hasnt any future and all this is a dark game (trying to sink them and suck all they have) because the richest countries wants a “new” Europe… as germans some years ago tried to force a EU in two versions (the rich and the poor)
We need to work towards less countries with its own currency not more. The more with single currency the better. Best would be to hawe only one single currency in the world
REFORMS is the key word. They were never done. No future outside the Eurozone.
To many thinks only of their own pockets. Were is the deeper understanding and social responsibility that we had before the fall of the East pact. The Usa economic way is a very bad way. We need something with in between market and Kommunism. We need to take the best from both worlds. Now is to mutch focus in the market. Especially the Usa one and to little on the social part. We would have needed to put in the same sanctions against the Usa for the spying and the attack on Iraq.
Your article is incorrect . Greece was granted an exception , and was allowed to consolidate all 3 payments in one enormous payment at the end of the month .
Only time will tell if Greece should stay out or in the Eurozone.
~ Greece / HELLAS, HAS TO GET THE 340 BILLION EUROS FROM THE II W. W. REPARATIONS IMMEDIATELY AS THE MINIMUM OF THE GREEK GENOCIDE BY THE NAZZIS… ~ EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT, EXCLUDING NEW-GERMANS!!!
NO!
It’s up to the Greeks to choose.
Yes, directly to the BRICS
SHOULD THE EUROZONE LEAVE PRIVATE CENTRAL BANK?
The EU should leave the EU. Drowned states in unpayable debt and your asking idiotic questions if Greece should leave? No, Greece should not leave, but EU needs real leaders who govern in the interest of the people, not banksters.
There is a reason why Greece missed the payment. Greece has already paid a lot….. Germany is not paying its debth to Greece. Should Germany leave the euro?
They should definetly leave! This is not about solidarity anymore, it is about fooling the other member states to pay for their debts. How is it possible to keep the minimum wage at 800euro there, while in Slovakia or Slovenia is only 500euro, although these 2 eurozone countries have to pay for Greek debts!
Some economists seem to think that Greece would be better off outside the Euro: after a period of economic pain, growth should (finally) make a return: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/comment/ambroseevans_pritchard/11650240/Europe-has-no-choice-it-has-to-save-Greece.html
In my opinion, Greece has been a victim of its own administration, but it has suffered also from ruinous policies imposed by the so-called “Troika” and a deeply flawed currency: the Euro is currently more similar to a fixed-exchange rate than a truly single currency, as, say, the American Dollar (or any other truly national currency) is. If there’s no political will in creating a truly and functional single currency, then yes, Greece should leave. And so should do others.
Well put
It’s all Political.
ECB and IMF supporters want to demonstrate that Greece cannot recover outside the Euro.
Anti-Europe groups, want to demonstrate that it is only possible to recoverby being outside the Euro.
Ivan Burrows, u are right in some criticism but you’re going to far..Without the so called “wick countries” of East Europe who fighted to huge Soviet Russian empire you would all be communists by now! Meantime you had the possibility to develop,get rich and Poland, Hungary etc.had to keep the Soviets at your borders! We paid the price of being undeveloped, so now you’re saying you don’t want us..I wish the Russians come back and show you how it is to leave under their rules!
Should Merkel-Troika political measures leave the Eurozone? Yes, please!
It is the time.
No its very low possibility. Things are difficult but not so much to leave euro.
the next one will come less as a surprise.
really? who find out that Greece has no money in the box? and how? and why does it bothered them? I really do not understand…they were so upset …that made them borrow money to Greece…why?
Stop bullying Greece! Let them free please, ty.
NO ! Agree clearly with Alberto Rizzi and most here .
Detroit may have been a difficult child too but the U.S. never abandon the people during it’s decline !
Without to mention that there exists much better solutions in changing finacial policies (more harmonizations and fiscal transfers and much greater 3%/GDP real E.U. budget not that tiny less than 0.9% of GDP ) without taking risk to disrupt the whole Eurozone apart which is clearly a price too high .
In case we leave euro who wiil be the next victim?
Greece is Europe. Whatever change it brings is most likely right for Europe, though not visible to all of us at present.
yes we must leave . the end
If Greece leave eurozone, everybody will left alone.
Eurozone should leave eurozone officials.
We don’t care !!!!
As long we know “the plan” we don’t care !!!
We only care about eu future if we go out …. It will fall down !!!!!
Also if Germans give the money they MUST pay in Greece than we will have money to give a loan to any country !!!!!!
– 360 billions are from 2d war
– 1,5 billions is from companies who “forget” to pay taxes in Greece !
– the big scandal of Siemens is more than 10 billions
– the gold they take from Greece ??
– the money they make from high interest to Greece ???
DONT FORGET …. We don’t !!!!!!!
the Greek Alexis Tsipras and Yanis Varoufakis economic and social policy will be successfull if the Greek huge debt could be renegotiated with the EU from one side and from the other side Greece would be able to realize a revolutionary restructuration of both the Political and the Public Administration system .. as we have suggested several times … but also in this second point it is important the EU , BCE , IMF and all worldwide financial Institutions demonstrate to be able to restructure their financial system .. blocking tax evasion , fiscal havens and most of the speculative finance … Greece alone as well as Italy cannot do much ..remember !!http://economicsandpolicy.blogspot.it/2013/03/what-europe-should-do.html
I wonder if countries who have done reforms really improve. Are those countries in better condition? Probably they will make further reforms but how people will react to them.
Nah, just let them pull the EU/EZ apart as they slide down the drain. Maybe the next generation can learn the lesson…..
Yes…as soon as possible…..and not only eurozone…out the eu……this europe is a shame
No, Greece should not leave the Eurozone. The Eurozone is the best ramming rod to bring down the Closed and protectionist Greek Economy , that has impoverished so many Greeks and forced 10 million Greeks to live in Exile. Greece needs structural and economic reforms with privatizations and deregulation to create a favorable investment environment climate that will create new jobs via the opening up of the Greek economy. The solution to a quick turn-around for the Greek economy is MT OLYMPUS VENTURES. For that to happen all of the above need to be implemented as the Eurozone is recommending that the Greek government to do – https://twitter.com/olympus42
What about a complementary currency?
Never
No. But let us be honest. The mess that Greece finds itself in was created by the previous governments who, it all seems, were friends with the EU. And with those governments who left the country’s economy in a mess, I doubt (prove me wrong) Greece would have not been able to repay or probably make this €300M payment.
Now a new government who is not to the EUs liking (why? ) the EU is now all up in arms as to Greece’s incapability to repay. Why is it NOW such a surprise? Why was Greece not pressed before the new government? Why is it such a big issue now? Just because Greece decided to vote against the thieves and the corrupt? Is that why?
NO ! They should allow EU police to investigate their corruption . They should destroy their corruption and crime otherwise in just 15 Years time situation is going to be similar . Greeks can’t pay back , all should accept that. Their dept is 175.1% of GDP (2013) , that is imposible to pay back .
Corruption and crime : Problem , you should understand Greeks ! You borrow money to corrupt country like Greece or Croatia and those money just disperse . The only thing that is left is a huge debt to poor folk . Poor folk is than just a slave to the banks but rich-corrupt people send money to secret accounts in Switzerland and other countries. Than you have problem that poor people are very angry just because they have to pay back a huge amount of cash and they have to spend life in poverty . EU should help corrupt countries in their fight against corruption and tax evasion , how much in tax has been collected from example Apple and Google in Greece = 0.00 $ . European System of Central Banks should write off debts , arrest gangsters and help poor countries to become free of slavery . http://www.transparency.org/cpi2014/results
BBC – tax evasion : Mr Henry said his $21tn is actually a conservative figure and the true scale could be $32tn. A trillion is 1,000 billion.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-18944097
Greek cash is in Swiss banks . The Tax Justice Network has said that there are over €20 billion in Swiss bank accounts held by Greeks. The former Finance Minister of Greece, Evangelos Venizelos, was quoted as saying “Around 15,000 individuals and companies owe the taxman 37 billion euros”. A study by researchers from the University of Chicago concluded that tax evasion in 2009 by self-employed professionals alone in Greece (accountants, dentists, lawyers, doctors, personal tutors and independent financial advisers) was €28 billion or 31% of the budget deficit that year. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Greece#Tax_evasion
Nobody should leave eurozone, everyone should join also
why dont you make a gallop ,you idiot fascists burreaucrats of e.u to see who do like your fucking currency?Or ask,if germany should leave the eurozone.You fascists!
FMI sould leave Eurozone!
ok
No ! Greece have not to leave the Eurozone!
Yes
Is post-neoliberalism finally at our door, and is that good? I guess it depends what we – and the Greek – make of it. Although post or not, either way corruption and tax evasion (small and large) must be tackled. Greece could learn from more lean and clean Nordic countries.
No.. NEVER !!
Greece needs nobody!!! Greece is the richiest coyntry in the world!!!!!!!!!! Go home eu!!!!!!!!!!!
No and Europe should change its policies. Yes, if Europe does not do it.
yes . GREECE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PAY ITS DEBT and should quite eurozone and devaluate drachma
http://www.neurope.eu/blog/europes-last-act/
This admin sounds like anti-european everytime i read his statuses.
Europe is in Europe and is European despite some poor countries which are left there in mercy from some super powerful countries.
Who are they to decide for another country wether to enter EU or not?
I mean ,them have been in Europe for like……..forever
No. They just have to say that they do not have the money to pay back the debt. Sorry, perhaps in 10 years or so we will look at it again, but today we stop paying. It is just money owed to banks and financial institutions and greece will overcome. If europe wants to kick them out that would be their responsibility.
It should had left long time ago. They continue to give her money which vanish in a blackhole…Out of the Eu zone as soon as possible!
Germany is on its way to conquering Europe (albeit financially).
What is Europe? What are its ideals? What is the idea behind it?
What???
The best but also an utopic scenario would be Greece stop paying the debt without leaving Eurozone ,because Europe needs stability. Greece is not a burden and the people of this country pays more than he can afford. So where is the real money going? Rebuild Eurozone and make it reflect all the ideals and the values that once reflected .
living eurozone doesnt solved the problem of greece so no
Yes. And if it continues to fail to give an added value to the European Union, nobody would shed a tear if it were leaving the Union, altogether.
Study some European history, not just the antique one!
The real mistake was doing monetary union without economic and tax policy
We should all leave the Eurozone. We have been cheated with the austerty and the the banks ,that gave money to themseves and we are paying it.
IIt’s Gerany that should leave in peace the Europeans, the Ukranians, ans the Moldavian republic.Children and adults in the union are passing hunger they are jobless and austered, menwhile the greedy rich want to gtrab more teritories.
A European union what a joke. a union means united so all the euro country’s should share the debt or Greece should leave and the sooner the better.
All European countries should leave and be independent as before.
Europe is suffering economically. Everybody talking about poor Greece, well what about Cyprus, Spain, Italy. Most of Europe are suffering.
Greece should leave Europe right now. And soon other countries will follow suit.
If they leave the euro zone, It will be a great loss for EU.
Yes
Yes it is time to leave. Here we dont belong, being bleeding so long. Uncertain as we are for the outcome we are just killing time.
No it shouldn’t. We should help each others
yes they should
we need russian and/or chinese submarines in the Mediterranean
O:)
I don’t know how we can talk about a union, if we don’t find solidarity between countries of this union.
Yes, they should have never been let it. Out now!
“No it shouldn’t. We should help each others”
Agree
Yes they should; one of the best ways of getting out of a financial mess is to have your own single currency; it enables you to set your own prices for products and services again and get the lines of trade moving comfortably, therefore the economy will begin to improve; it will also enable the banks to set new exchange rates against the other world currencies, and with how badly the euro is now doing, setting your own currency against it, you’ll always be at an advantage. The drachma would be in a far better position than the euro currently is…
No.
Yes, imediately…
No Greece should not leave the Eurozone! Troika needs to propose a sustainable growth plan for Greece & Alexis Tsipras needs to get serious, to Grow up & to propose & implement structural reforms in Greece, the liberalization of the economy & less state intervention. Both sides Troika & Tsipras Need to behave as adults!
https://youtu.be/VYpd-2buQc0
They should have left 5 years ago !
(Y) The United States took position in favor of Greece! In a very important statement proceeded today the American MOF Jack Liu taking place essentially in favor of Greece in the most sensitive point of the negotiations.
The Minister of Finance of the United States of America said that “the debt should be part of negotiations”, adding “the global economy does not need a shock now.”
It is the first time that the US officially accepted that a restructuring, or “haircut” debt should be part of the overall solution of the problem. http://www.athensmagazine.gr/portal/politikiellada/190813
Should the banks govern the Eurozone?
No, Greece must not leave Europe! The unstitutions must not blackmail the greeks. They are going in a dandegerous way to break down the Europe of the peoples.
No
Why did the Coalition Government reject the Eurozone’s offer of €15 billion in a immediate Development Package for Greece, which could ignite more than €120 billion in economic growth with reforms in the Greek economy , to come into immediate effect on July1 ???? The French State Model does not operate effectively in Greece. Vote NO to the French State Model in Greece which has being in place for the past 40 years and is the cause of the Greek State bankruptcy. The French State Model only works for France. Not in Greece. A Vote Yes for the Euro which will bring more than €120 billion in economic growth in Greece.
No, Greece mustn’t leave. But unfortunately the creditors want to put Greece out of the eurozone!
I find the EU has lost its bearings and cannot make heads or tails out of its vision, mission and objectives (are there still any left?).
On the one hand there is this question – “should Greece leave the EU?”
On the other hand there is this other question – “is a new iron-curtain descending upon the EU?”
I am assuming, with great sadness, that the politicians and the finance ministers behind this whole Greece mess, do not see any connection between the two issues. Am I wrong?
I find the EU has lost its bearings and cannot make heads or tails out of its vision, mission and objectives (are there still any left?).
On the one hand there is this question – “should Greece leave the EU?”
On the other hand there is this other question – “is a new iron-curtain descending upon the EU?”
I am assuming, with great sadness, that the politicians and the finance ministers behind this whole Greece mess, do not see any connection between the two issues. Am I wrong?
I do sincerely hope so! But I am not sure.
its not really a debate is it? otherwise they wouldn’t have been trying so hard to find a solution, and neither would the others…
YES!
As fast as she can!!!!
Yes
.
It will be the beginning of the end of the EU so yes they should leave, and as quickly as possible.
Yes, I think so!
Tsipras must Go – Greeks ARE in the heart and culture of Europe!
Ι’m sorry but we are on our way out . These are the results of EU ‘s cruelty and austerity. We’ve been bleeding 6 years now and ALL politicians , here and the rest of Europe have just been playig power games
Yes, they will be better with going back to drachma and their relaxing working style…siesta, siesta, siestas…:-)
Do you really think so? Relaxing working? You have no idea my friend… and i feel so sorry for that! Our youth citizens can’t find work at all and we are trying very hard to survive in very bad contitions. Shame on you my friend! Go back and live your own happy dream… What a pitty…
No.
It will be the beginning of the end of the antidemocratic EU so yes they should leave as quickly as possible.
Yes, there are no more money for them.
Se forem espertos saem do euro e cee,segundo Krugman so iriam ter problemas numa primeira fase e faziam um grande favor,rebentavam c o euro e os agiotas…
greece shoudnt be admitted in European Union and Euro Zone….
Greece MUST leave the eurozone and so save itself.
Yesssss
No, No No , Greece must stay in the Eurozone. Why did the Coalition Government reject the Eurozone’s offer of €15 billion in a immediate Development Package for Greece, which could ignite more than €120 billion in economic growth with reforms in the Greek economy , to come into immediate effect on July1 ???? The French State Model does not operate effectively in Greece. Vote NO to the French State Model in Greece which has being in place for the past 40 years and is the cause of the Greek State bankruptcy. The French State Model only works for France. Not Greece. Vote Yes for the Euro which will bring more than €120 billion in economic growth in Greece.
Democracy still exists in some clever minds! Europe, please, remind your basic principles! It’s about time.
Europe save the banking system … but what we really losing now???
Yes Greece should be saved …
Greece belongs to Eurozone!!!
No. If Greece leaves that’s the end of the spirit. Gongrats to the actual leaders and dominant leadership; the last 20 years they completly destroyed a dream of an united, peaceful Europe.
Yes….everyone should.
No !
yes
Yes, but it’s impossible without leaving EU! :-)
Of course not, but the banking system should be more controlled in the Eurozone
We are seeing here the arrogance of countries that have a minimum wage three to four times higher than a Greek, and asking that Greece should leave Europe, and this is the fault not of the European community, but of all Europeans, as concrete as it exemplifies such a state, it is Germany who made millions with Greece, while trying to strangle Greece. It is beautiful :-)
Yes
There is no way.
it is a controversial topic. on the one hand Greece has to remain in the eurozone. A bankruptcy will destroy completely Greece’s economy. People will not have even a little food. The same time Turkey has other problems. It doesn’t have a government…so perhaps it will try to export its own crisis in Greece….. ;) On the other hand Troika and all lenders generally recommend an inhuman proposal to Greek people…Simultaneously in the memorandum is written clearly that Greece gives up its own national sovereignty.
No, Greece is staying in Europe. If Tsipras gave unattainable promises, it’s his fault, the Greeks shouldn’t pay for his stupidity.
Yes. Νπνγμθν όλοι!
Não.a dívida é uma fraude.
I guess you have asked this question billions of times :D you make me bored!!
LISTEN THIS :
YOU CAN STAY LIKE A GOOD DOG AND SAY “YES” TO YOUR BIG BOSS (Germany) ……. WE SAY ENOUGH !!!!! AND IF WE GO OUT OF EUROZONE WAIT FOR YOUR TURN SOON !!!!!!!
WEN YOU LOSE EVERYTHING YOU DONT CARE ABOUT THE REST !!!!!!
wen the dog is at corner have nothing else to do but fight !!!!!
Also wen Leonidas (300) start a fight the only think was in his mind was the COME WITH YOUR SEAL OR ON IT !!!!!!!!!!
Μιχαλης Μιχαηλιδης Χριστινα Πετρενιτη , Radek Otta Xristina Skandalari Aggela Stamiri
27 june 2015 manila, ph
i just wish to share my views, thanks’
debating europe
https://www.debatingeurope.eu/2015/02/25/greek-debt/#.VY6MikamSEn
first question – should greece leave the eurozone?
a clever answer is a good question.
second question – is there a choice?
thanks’
facebook: thegreatdepression.part2@yahoo.com
kindly please take good care and God bless . . . . . . . raul
Άντε γαμηθείτε και αν δεν το καταλάβατε στα ελληνικά… f#ck off
No. It’d be costly for Greece and it’d be costly for the EU.
Greece is in a tight spot right now but that doesn’t mean the end of Europe
Can REALLY a country’s economy be left out from the Global Economy?
Can it REALLY be a solution?
Let Greece out.
Let the false Global Financial System lose its scapegoat.
Then the real problem will come to the surface, and nations will might pressure for a real solution for their own benefit, not for those centers (people and multinational companices) who gather global wealth in bank accounts.
Y
We are family
They would be better without EU but they wouldn’t ever be allowed to as others would follow
Here comes Debating Europe with a 1000times repeated and provocative question! I am so sorry for that! And I am even more sorry for your article : (Greece) effectively deciding whether or not Greece leaves the eurozone! Ok before pretend to be experts of the European Union can you show me JUST ONE PROVISION of all European Law texts that enables the exit from Eurozone unless if it is the coutry’s will??? JUST ONE please! Stop with this populist propaganda that unfortunately is in accordance with some of the most rubbish media like Bild! We are deciding whether we will accept more austerity or not! We are deciding whether we want our Democracy to be raped by some financial interests driven bureaucrats in Brussels or not! If you had read the founding principles of EEC by Jean Monnet and Schuman, you would knew that Europe should mean: “Democracy-Solidarity-Co-operation”…where are all these principles right now? And the hypocrisy continues because you “forget” to mention that EEC was founded in the 50s so as to prevent a new WWar in Europe and instead promote co-operation and peace! And as matter of fact the huge debts of Germany were forgiven after WWII, debts from reparations, armaments etc. From a regime that brought unthinkable suffer, pain and blood to Europe and the World! On other hand Greece never disturbed anyone and you want to “show off” your hypocritic values on a country which at the end of the day is the cruddle of Democracy! Stop these cruel blackmailings and the ultimatums!
yes, they should leave the eurozone. Now we know we can not trust the greek. This was a plan from the syriza. they whant to exit the ue, without paying anything. After they put the guilt to europe and they try to pass the idea that europe is no longer democratic and solidaire, they spit on the hand of the europeans leaders who tryed to achieve a agreeement good for all of us. This could be a plan of extremist parties, from extreme left to extreme right to desintegrate the UE and the eurozone. the greeks are churching alies that are interested that eurpoe goes down, like mr putin
The Eurozone should break up. It was a good idea, badly executed. Now it only serves to divide nations.
Leave NOW, Greece will make History this time !!
ΕUROPIAN UNION HAS ALLREADY KILLED 8.000 PEOPLE OF MY COUNTRY.3 MILLION PEOPLE LIVE BELOW THE POVERTY LINE IN HELLAS .WE ARE COUNTRY OF EUROPE AND ALLREADY GERMANY FRANCE AND OTHER COUNTRYS EARNED A LOT OF MONEY FROM OUR CHRISIS.YOU DO NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY ALL OF YOU TO MURDER US.WE TAUGHT YOU DEMOCRASY SO NOW IT IS TIME FOR US TO DESIDE WHAT WE WANT FOR OUR FUTURE!!!!!
No it shouldnt. It must be solidarity among the eurozone members and not blackmails. If Greece will be forced to leave Eurozone something essential will be lost of our dream for a united and integrated Europe. The main responsibility for keeping the entity of EU is on the hands of the people in power. The history will be very severe towards the leaders of current EU institutions
The wright question should be: Should Greece leave the Germanized Eurozone? Hell yes! The Eurozone as it should be? Hell no!
Germany should leave along with its beloved banks
Yes, Greece mus leave
No, solidarity with the Greeks.
I heard of extra gardeners hired by eu money, double amounts of people hired to this and that, and how is the Greek pension system? Is it true they even get bonus for things that elsewhere are considered as default, like arriving to work in time? That kind of attitude is not and was not from german banks. Only the money was.
So i do not know. Do they want to be like that, or do they want to get productive for common good, not just privately, at all.
No, we must achieve a Social Democratic United States of Europe run by the people not the banks and corporations!
Yes
Let Greece and its citizens do what is best for their country. If they are better off on their own let’s them leave centralized European Union. EU must adopt fundamental reforms in order to survive.
we want to stay in Eyrope and the euro currency, but first we must fight corruption…political parties, interested only for their interests, and the elite business families in Greece are to blame…
Yesss.eu is a dictature .lets leave them alone
+ all the previous governments are to blame, because in their knowledge, they were giving benefits to their party followers with borrowed money…
Since the government campaigns for a no in the surprise referendum, Greece has already left and defaulted in practice.
Fora do euro Grécia já
The question is wrong. the right question should be “should Greek people accept the dictatorship of Big banks which speak through European Institutions? Should they accept to keep making the interests of foreign banks killing their country? Should they accept an ultimatum willing just the humiliation of all their people?”
the answer is Not! this is the failure of EU values! EU should defend its citizens, not its banks. Greece and Tsipras are giving a big lesson of Democracy to all Europe!
Valentes gregos!!!!!!!!!!!!! Impuseram-lhes a crise e agora querem matá-los à fome? But who’s BRUXELAS???? What are their names????? Great greeks!!
First of all, that question itself is propaganda. Secondly, Eurozone was a very good idea when it started, but it came out to be a playground for rich countries (Germany, UK, etc.). The real question though is, should the Eurozone even exist?
The question is What has the Euro Zone doing about the influx of immigrants to Greece and Italy? What has the Euro Zone done about the People’s right to a job, health system, etc etc etc. NOTHING. Please just let us go. We may starve for a while but Hey you know what, I prefer to starve than to look at the faces of Merkel and Sobel again. They wanted our blood to drink. They thought they could get away with once again trying to rule over Europe. In 1940 we said NO to allowing German-Slovakian take over of the world army to enter Greece so that they can go to Turkey and so on. Well they had a hard time trying to fight the Greek people. It cost them time and in the end their dream of being superior. Check mate. Once again .
No never we are United and strong – In varietate concordia – remember! Together we are strong, alone we will die. God bless Greece!
No Please
The Greeks must pay their taxes. Just like we have to pay our taxes in Belgium. It would be a good start.
The question is wether the eurozone will continue to exist after a potential Grexit.You cannot apply financial policies as if you represent a military regime.We are supposed to be partners for the european intergration.
No. EU is nothing without the country who invented politics, democracy and the word EUROPA it self. Stop to an EU made only of counts, money and stringency.
Yes! This isn’t european union of solidarity and democracy and we have no cultural bonds with the slavs of the north!
WE DONT CARE !!!!!!!
WE DINT CARE AS LONG YOU DONT RESPECT US !!!!!!
NOW THE SHIT HIT THE FAN !!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes, this EU is sick.
Should pay money back, to cover the debit with EU. Then they should be free to be where Greeks citizens want :)
Greece get out.
I hope Greece will stay. I also hope this current greek administration leaves the soonest possible
European Union became a nazi monetary Union of banks. The same banking system that funded Hitler is ruining the Europe of the human values. The corrupted politicians, Yunker of the luxleaks, and others that promote only the interests of the banks and big corps are the threat to the Europeans, we dont want poor citizens all over Europe, nazi companions like ukranian goverment, and victims of petrol wars sinking in the Mediterranean. If E.E. won’t change we better leave this nazi monetary union
Greece should do what is best for them, the people are suffering under the E. U. rules, where is the compassion and empathy on these pages? We know we need to pay debts but some tolerance please
A diferent way of writing the very same question:
Should Eurozone, EU and CBE adopt policies focused on democracy, economic growth and redistribution?
Yes n second goal the destruction of eurozone mafia
EU policies have to be redesigned by means of an anthropocentric character. New world order and capitalism have lead the whole world to a dead end. Cut global debt now!
Greece is rich country..we have water..sun..islands..food and everything we need to live always…Greece belong to Greeks only!!! We are not slaves..we are masters!!!!!!!!!!!
Esta não é a Europa de todos os cidadãos.
It’s not all about Greece but for the all European countries. It has proven through the years that euro has affected all the countries in the negative way except Germany. Despite that Greece has nothing else to lose as there is no dignity left, no job oppotunities and no future for the young people. So, whatever the outcome from the referendum is, it would be the same for greek people as they have nothing else to lose except euro. At least we will say no after five years of austerity and measures that the istitutions force us to make.
Καμμια ελληνική λέξη? ????????
I think that what we need is the end of the UE.
Fuck EU and the German NAZIS, Greece das not need them they will survive. Look what they did with Cyprus, they stolen people’s money out of the bank in the middle of the night.
Wrong question!
.
You will be lucky if they stay in the EU never mind the job destroying Eurozone.
‘Antonis Samaras said. The referendum question was effectively a “yes” or “no” to Europe,’
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/06/27/uk-eurozone-greece-idUKKBN0P40FR20150627
they had the courage to follow a different path, they still wanna pay the debt but in different terms, why the EU responsables cant give a chance? We are and always be humans, lets not see each other as numbers.Because other countries decided to enter a blackhole, this should be the norm? As long as i know we have options, not decorative options…as for the question, its not the 1st time that i see it, and its the appropriate question.
One more think.
If greece colapse as an economy and as a comunity all those immigrants will go to Germany, uk, Belgium etc.
Would you like this to happen?
DESTROY EU MAFIA NOW !!!!!!
No! Politicians are to be blamed, not the whole country!!
They will stay in eu, europe and usa are too much afraid greece is going under influence of russia. Geo politics…