GREECE AND WORLD: "In Greece people die and the party of Schäuble calls itself Christian"

Harsh criticism carries the German television network RTL through a publication in its website, by which directly challenges the effectiveness of austerity programs in Greece and criticizing Wolfgang Schaeuble

The effectiveness of austerity programs and the role of the troika in Greece are being questioned by an analysis in the webpage of the German television network RTL.

As columnist says: "Greece is considered as the European patient; the German popular press likes to outline Greeks as lazy people who are left to be saved by the money of German taxpayers, saying that while Greeks are not paying their taxes, are buying property in Berlin. Of course: The Greek elites contributed with their mindset to create this image. However, a look at the current data of the economy and at the state of 'normal' Greek shows that the imposed austerity by the Troika is a disaster for the citizens."

The columnist criticizes an earlier statement of the German Finance Minister, Wolfgang Schaeuble, who had stressed that there is no other excuse for "not to take unpleasant decisions that have to be taken." As the columnist comments: "One thing is clear: In Greece people die because they no longer have money to visit the doctor. And the party of Schäuble calls itself 'Christian'."

The columnist expresses his amazement about the satisfaction expressed by the Troika on the progress of Greek program during its last visit to Athens and said:

"The troika is simply a tool for the complete liberalization of the economy. There is no room for sentiment for the people." The columnist believes that any continuation of harsh austerity measures would be fatal for the country and emphasizes: "As Germany imposed during the crisis between 2008 and 2010 a program to stimulate economic activity, Greece now needs an investment program to maintain and modernize its public infrastructure."

Source: Deutsche Welle