Well Done Der Spiegel!

By Emmanuel Bouhalakis

In an unprecedented article, Des Spiegel Magazine has stated that Greece soon plans to abandon the Euro, quoting "inside information" from the Greek government. They even moved a step further and wrote that German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble is trying to avert a minor catastrophe for the German banks and a turning point for the EU. A while later, the Greek Ministry of Economics vehemently rejected this report and so did officials from the EU.

What was this report, then? Speculation? Sheer lies? Misinformation propaganda? Bad journalism? No one can tell for sure. But one thing seems to be certain: some people can't stop speculating, guessing or playing with the nerves of an entire country and with the European Union in general.

It is more than a fact that the EU mechanisms can handle the sovereign debt crisis that has befallen upon the weaker states. With the proper sense of solidarity and economic actions along with the responsible handling of the crisis from the governments of the afflicted nations, things can and will get better.

Nonetheless, the EU leaders must stand firm to all powers that desire the disintegration of the Union. A Europe where each nation does not sacrifice something for a common cause is the first step for the unraveling of a common European identity that could in turn give rise to nationalism. And Europe knows very well what nationalism is capable of doing. Two World Wars is enough proof.

So, the question remains: Who is behind the erroneous Der Spiegel article, and what are its goals? I suspect the motives are a desire to cause financial panic with whatever this entails. Bad news for some and good for some others.

I believe it is now time to start taking action against rumor manufacturers. And the sooner the governments do it, the better for the EU and for its citizens.