The statements made by the President of the Eurogroup Jeroen Dijsselbloem the day before yesterday that the south European countries had wasted their money on “drinks and women” are unacceptable and insulting, both for the peoples of Southern European countries, as well as for women. Even more provocative is that he insists on the unacceptable views he expressed.
When the officials of the European Union themselves are cultivating racial and sexist stereotypes, while at the same time making references to solidarity, no one should be surprised about the continuous sharp rise of extreme right-wing rhetoric in Europe.
Most important, of course, is the fact that the President of the Eurogroup bypasses the systemic crisis, as well as the neoliberal austerity policies being imposed on Europe, which are exacerbating existing problems and provoking new ones.
We haven’t had any reaction whatsoever from the Anastasiades-DISY government to Dijsselbloem’s statements. We know that the government and ruling forces agree with the neoliberal perception.
Are we to believe that the government’s silence means that they also agree with what the President of the Eurogroup said?
Statement by Stefanos Stefanou, AKEL C.C. Spokesperson
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 23rd March 2017, Nicosia