MercoPress, en Español

Montevideo, March 28th 2024 - 16:27 UTC

 

 

European leader shocked by Argentine arrogance and satisfaction over EU crisis

Thursday, October 20th 2011 - 00:03 UTC
Full article 22 comments
Former Spanish president Felipe González Former Spanish president Felipe González

Spain’s former president Felipe Gonzalez said that Latin American countries which in the eighties suffered financial problems because of the debt crisis are now looking on the European economic situation with “some joy”.

“This is particularly outstanding towards the apparent EU impotence to resolve the Euro debt situation”, said Gonzalez.

Addressing an international forum organized by the Ideas Foundation linked to the Spanish Socialist party, Gonzalez said that was the impression he brought back following a recent trip to South American where he met with politicians, trade unionists and business leaders.

“They are looking at the EU and US situations with ‘some joy’. Those ‘kinder-garden’ teachers who dictated to us in the eighties, when the debt crisis, now seem incapable of finding a way out to their own debt situation is the attitude”, remarked Gonzalez.

He added that many Latin American countries are surprised that Europe has not gone to them for advice when “they hold several Masters Degrees in financial crisis management”.

The former Spanish official said only a few days ago he visited Argentina where politicians and business leaders were ‘enjoying’ the difficulties Europe is facing to overcome the current situation.

I told them, “please let’s hope this pleasure is like the culmination of an erotic satisfaction: intense but short lived”.

He added his words were not out of solidarity or selfishness but following that moment if the European economy contracts, as it is happening and contagion reaches the US, as it is happening, “we’re going to have a global pandemic effect”.

Because, said Gonzalez it is inevitable that if the EU and US demands contract, “emerging economies will suffer”.
 

Top Comments

Disclaimer & comment rules
  • xbarilox

    Oh my God, Felipe is shocked! what a lady, welcome to reality *rseh*le! enjoy your crisis Spaniards, take your opinion and stick it!

    Oct 20th, 2011 - 12:54 am 0
  • Sergio Vega

    Mr. Gonzalez forget that the Spanish crisis (the EU deepest one) is due a socialist party Gvt. which has wasted a lot of money creating the highest deficit and jobless rate ever suffered by Spain.
    Please, Mr. Gonzalez, be quiet and shut your mouth.....
    On the other hand, Europe is learning that the “welfare state” is not too easy to keep funded in the long term and people must earn his own living and do not expect it free from Gvts.
    Europe is learning that the belt must be tight and spent just what they earn, no more.
    Of course, if Europe and US fall in a recession it will affect us hardly, so I hope iy won´t happen but the adjust shall be made and ASAP.

    Oct 20th, 2011 - 02:14 am 0
  • Fido Dido

    Sergio Vega, it's not only the socialist parties who were overspending themself with borrowed money, but also the fake conservatives who continued with that stupidity. The “welfare state” in Europe is about to collapse because of both sides (left and right) and now the people are going to pay for it, while the banksters are running away with the money.

    It's not a matter of if anymore, the crisis already hits the US and Europe hardly and it will affect the rest of the world, but nations who have their house in order will come out of it, slowly. What's happening is clear, there is transfer of wealth going on and we here up north will feel it harder. If Europe and the US just let the zombie banks go, they will feel the hit but come out of it better, but ohh no, they in the EU corrupt government and in the US do not represent the people but their friends at the big mega banks and corporations who don't care at all and go where there is growth. It's not the end of the world, but the end of it as we know it today and guess what, they, like mr Gonzalez, hate it.

    Oct 20th, 2011 - 03:11 am 0
Read all comments

Commenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!