The European Commission’s decision to monitor one of the largest countries of the Eurozone, France with Italy, Slovenia and Croatia, proves that the debt and competition crisis is extensive and does not affect only the countries that have sought out a bailout. Despite the announcements of the European leaders, the crisis persists and demands far more effective measures and policies than the ones currently in place to tackle it.
The problems of ours that the European bureaucrats and international press focus on are a spit in the wind compared to the problems faced by countries such as France and Italy – whose economies affect not only European, but international developments as well.
The explosion of unemployment, the low growth rates and the expansion of the debt are phenomena not restricted to Greece and Portugal, they affect the core of Europe. Every day it becomes even more apparent that the financial consolidation programs implemented, some more intense than others, will neither end the crisis nor lead to the coveted growth.
It is clear that the crisis cannot be tackled with half measures and delayed decisions. It requires a much braver political approach; it demands resources to be released in order kick start the European economy. The upcoming European elections are a critical check point for the political leaders who currently dominate in the Old Continent. The emergent Euro-skepticism is a first sign that they must not ignore. Europe must move forward, it must regain its credibility and above all, it must inspire its people that it is worth the effort, to fight for their mutual future.
TO VIMA
