Angela’s Ashes: How Merkel Failed Greece and Europe

The Greek debt crisis, has put Europe into turmoil, and leaders could have set limits on Greece long ago. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras heightened uncertainty by scheduling a referendum on whether Greece should accept conditions for a bailout. “Tsipras' radicalism lies in his faith in the power of the decision,” write Peter Müller and René Pfister for Spiegel Online. If he doesn't accept rules, he demands that they be dissolved.” The writers suggest that the crisis could have been resolved with improved communications and without the complications of the International Monetary Fund, adding “Tsipras has turned the IMF into a symbol of oppression” rather than a means of life support. Müller and Pfister blame Germany Chancellor Angela for a divided Europe – “her idiosyncrasy of allowing things to drift for extended periods.” Offering Greece a secure exit from the eurozone or restructuring debt could have prevented anger and radicalization in Greece. In the end, Müller and Pfister question if Merkel really wants an integrated European Union. – YaleGlobal