The president of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker seemed desperate to keep Greece in the euro-zone and begged Greeks to vote Yes in Greferendum.
However, not only did he make statements that contradict other things we know, he also made a very incendiary comment about suicides that would just strengthen the No camp and damage potential negotiations.
Juncker asked Greeks not to commit suicide because you are afraid of death.
Now, austerity has already triggered a rise of 35% in suicides in the past two years. The comment not only hurts families that lost members to suicides but also hurts the wider Greek audience.
More:
- What Juncker said: It wasn’t a “take it or leave it†offer. However, we know that the Germans described it as a very generous move towards Greece and urged them to take it. It doesn’t sound like leaving too much space for negotiations.
- What Juncker said: debt restructuring was on the table. However, Spain’s finance minister Luis de Guindos said it was never on the table. There is a 2012 pledge to perhaps consider debt restructuring in the future – no promises, no commitments.
- What Juncker said: no cuts to pensions. However, the EKAS cut, also known as the solidarity payout for the most needy, was up for cuts in the proposal.
All in all, these words did not help at all to say the least. But perhaps it is not surprising. Juncker said in the past that “when it becomes serious, you have to lieâ€.
The ball remains in Merkel’s court. She never makes inflammatory comments, but seems to be afraid of taking responsibility. Well, she follows the public mood of her constituents, which oppose more concession to Greece.
But, maybe the US will intervene and force Germany to accept a debt cut.
