Germany 'bases Greece and Cyprus policy on stereotypes'

By Jeevan Vasagar, Berlin for The Telegraph

Germany bases its policy towards Greece and Cyprus on stereotypes of idleness and criminality, according to a German MEP of Greek descent who says he is quitting politics as a result.

Mr Chatzimarkakis accused German politicians, 
including his own party, of belittling Greece

Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, a MEP with Germany’s Free Democrats, declared that he is quitting German politics over his country’s treatment of its European partners, citing the Cyprus bail-out as the last straw. He told the Daily Telegraph: “Politics should respect people and not only geopolitical and financial interests.” The case of Cyprus, in which the EU warned that it would withhold bailout loans unless depositors shared in the cost of the rescue, has “provoked an intense euro-sceptic reaction,” Mr Chatzimarkakis said.

After an outcry, savers in Cyprus with less than 100,000 euros will be spared, but the levy on larger depositors will cause intense damage to the Mediterranean island’s economy, which is dependent on offshore banking.

Mr Chatzimarkakis, 46, whose party is the junior member of Angela Merkel’s ruling coalition, said: “Germany has proven several times during the last three years that it is feasible to change course. My decision not to pursue an active role in Germany is linked to the fact that German politicians have ignited a fire in our European house. It has nothing to do with the German citizens whom I greatly respect.”

Mr Chatzimarkakis accused German politicians, including his own party, of belittling Greece. He said that within his own party, ideas such as “sell your isles and the Acropolis” had been circulated as measures to pay off Greek debt. "They were so extreme that I couldn't go to the party's convention.” 

 The Telegraph