Well, it comes as no surprise that Greece has topped the table for corruption in Europe. However, what seems to me more pertinent is that corruption in Greece has increased during the troika/memorandum regime. And not only that, but the other countries entrapped in the so called bail out/austerity tyranny, have also seen corruption grow significantly.

So what have all these IMF/European strict austerity-cures-everything programmes actually achieved after about three years?

Well now, unemployment has increased is increasing (and ought to be diminished)* throughout the EU and in particular the states being ground to a pulp through this ingenious economic “policy”, Spain and Greece, whose unemployment is near one in four, and growing (one in two for the young.)

Recession in the EU has increased, is increasing (and ought to be diminished) and has in fact reached Depression dimensions in Greece in particular.

Debt? The debt problem has not only not gone away but is also growing.

Poverty has increased, is increasing (and ought to be diminished) throughout Europe (yes, even Germany).

And now the cherry on top of the cake. Corruption is seeping throughout the austerity ravaged states. It should come as no surprise. When the official state is milking you for more that you are worth (as is happening in Greece in particular, but not only), and your children are going hungry (as is happening in Greece but elsewhere too), then you will steal, cheat and yes, indeed, succumb to bribery, corruption and everything else too.

Congratulations German Europe, congratulations IMF, congratulations to all you spineless, self serving totally self interested Eurocrats and technocrats, having a right old time on your respective power trips. From Olli Rehn to Yannis Stournaras and everybody else preening themselves so shamelessly in the Eurogroup.

 

*The quote is taken from John Dunning, 1st Baron Ashburton (18 October 1731 ? 18 August 1783), who stated in Parliament that “the influence of the crown has increased, is increasing, and ought to be diminished“.