Greece, the debt, and Europe in all this
The European summit opens against a backdrop of economic crisis and above all political crisis, even if no one wants to admit it
They all swear it, hand on heart. The Greek question is not on the agenda of the European Summit today and tomorrow in Brussels. But it will be in everyone's mind and in many conversations aside. Because the situation remains fragile. Certainly the Greek Parliament has renewed its confidence in the Prime Minister, G. Papandreou. German Chancellor Angela Merkel watered down her wine from the summit with Sarkozy on Friday. And the 27 now agree to create a permanent stability mechanism.
But the balance remains fragile. Within the Eurozone, there is still no agreement on the art and manner of requiring banks to make a “voluntary” contribution. The 27 failed to obtain an agreement from the European Parliament on the package of economic governance measures before the Summit. In Greece, Parliament still has to decide on the required austerity plan. Thus, during the meeting of the leaders of the European People's Party, the Frenchman Joseph Daul had to play firefighters to calm the ardor of his Greek co-religionists of New Democracy (opposition).
Lack of breath. Beyond these difficulties looms a muted concern. The gap is widening with public opinion, which is increasingly reluctant to accept horse remedies and the austerity cure. The circle of states ready for European solidarity is shrinking. Financial at the start, the crisis turned into an economic crisis, of public debt and of the Euro. Everyone now fears the political crisis.
Nicolas GROS-VERHEYDE.
• Also on the agenda of the Summit: the strengthening of border control of the European Union and a mini-reform of the Shengen area; the green light given to Croatia's accession, subject to certain conditions which have yet to be approved; the situation in Syria, Libya, and the (possible) recognition of a Palestinian state.