http://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...nearing-natural-level-as-italy-poised-to-grow Ha, Varoufakis suggesting public investment bonds working better than QE. They do work better than QE in societies where such investments yield a positive return. Given the current attitude of your average Greek towards work and effort this remains a big NG.
Sorry about the misunderstanding about Varoufakis and Tsipras lovely mediterranean wives. I'm not sure Merkel will stand in history as high as Thatcher - so far Thatcher is the outstanding figure against socialism in european postwar history, whereas Merkel, especially now she iss forced into a coalition, is gearing Germany the other way. Two strong leaders anyway. I definetely never mentioned Paxman, although not sure Volpunter implied it
Actually I'm not even sure Merkel will stand out of previous recent leaders in Germany. Khol with the reunification of Germany and some symbolic reconciliation gestures with european leaders ( Mitterand holding hands with Khol is an iconic picture of the postwar), and Schroeder leading germany to a strong economic recovery will be a tough match. Not belittling Merkel, but there is competition in north european capable leaders (I'm not old enough to be familiar with pre Khol post war german leaders, but suspect the postwar german recovery was also linked to efficient leadership).
I judge by the political clout of a leader rather than inevitable circumstances and momentum. Kohl did very little regarding re-unification. It was not even Thatcher who had a say in Germany's reunification (other than actually voicing her displeasure with a re-unified Germany) but both Thatcher and Gorbachev realized that the momentum in the Eastern European "blocks" could not be reversed anymore. Schroeder also did very little in terms of political power. The economic revival was almost a given considering where Germany's economy stood when he took power. I laude Merkel for her intelligence (which I would say trumps all mentioned leaders and is only globally rivaled by Putin's intelligence) as well as her ability to get things done her way even into the face of adversity and disagreement of her adversaries. It is easy for a political leader to get things done with an absolute majority and other statesmen/women around him/her in agreement. It is an entirely different feast to convince others and to display an ironclad patience to accept setbacks and compromises knowing that such will ultimately lead to the best solution. That, I believe, is Merkel's biggest strength and talent. How she outplayed the entire UK leadership in Europe is unprecedented. Germany is globally well connected at this point, while the UK stands entirely isolated in the world, so isolated that it now has to kiss up to China. It is even in the process of disconnecting and destroying century long relationships with the US. So is Russia, so is France, and a number formerly leading powers. Who else travels to Russia knowing full well his/her country is dependent on Russian oil and gas and makes the Ukraine situation a central issue of her trip? The UK even refuses to ever meet the Dalai Lama again, fearing it will cause negative economic repercussions by China. Who can meet both sides in Israel and Palestine and speak in their respectively highest parliamentary/leadership chambers and be taken seriously? Who travels to China and talks about human rights violations while the rest of the world ducks and fears China leashing out? Who travels to Japan (just last week) and can admonish not only Japan to come to terms with its history and war crimes and at the same time speak to the surrounding nations and suggest to make it easier for Japan to seriously apologize and still be heard and taken seriously? Not even the US has attempted such because most American leaders believe the only way things work is via money, pressure, and military presence. Thatcher can credit herself with the financial sector big bang, a liberalization and deregulation of London's financial market, the same market that went later on into overdrive and in combination with American financial institutions almost threw the world into disarray. Today the UK is by majority dependent on financial services in London and couple large pharmaceuticals as well as niche players while the German economy is most likely the most diversified one among industrialized countries. The "Mittelstand" produced some of the best engineers and technologies 50 years ago and still does today. That I find quite an achievements given that Germany aside its strong economy has not sold out on social benefits and a comprehensive welfare system. While a large number of Americans line up for food stamps when they are not busy shooting each other most every German is protected via a respectable health care system, with job or without. Sure there are pressing issues in Germany that need to be addressed but creating the ramifications and conditions, regulations, and institutions to maintain such "social market economy" should be credited to leaders such as Merkel. I am not sure the same could be said of Thatcher. I think the following is a pretty fair recount of events:http://www.spiegel.de/international...nification-the-germans-are-back-a-648364.html And it looks like a similar view is shared by even the British and other nations: http://www.forbes.com/power-women/ http://www.reuters.com/article/2009...on-achievements-factbox-idUSTRE58M2BH20090923 http://www.socialeurope.eu/2010/08/angela-merkel-the-worlds-most-valuable-leader/ http://www.theguardian.com/world/20...-germany-chancellor-world-most-powerful-woman http://thebutterflyprogram.com/inspiration/angela-merkel-achievements-power-ukrainerussia/ http://www.stylist.co.uk/people/angela-merkel
I am so pleased you recognise Putin's intelligence. No I am not a fan, simply pragmatic. If some people have their way, we will have war, then possibly nuclear war. Intelligent people can be reasoned with. Merkel is on the side of patience and reason, and I really hope she prevails.
Having been given a few minutes to explain how it's so different now in Greece: Troika is now 'The Brussels Group', austerity cuts are now 'reforms', and bailouts are now 'bridge loans'; Greek FinMin Varoufakis asked for peace and quiet from the press so that they could work on "solutions" for the Greek people... And then CNBC's Julia Chatterly asked about the Paris Match photo-shoot (which is has created fierce storm of controversy in Greece) and specifically whether he "was a liability for his party?" Varoufakis response was (serial killer) calm as he looked her in the eyes, demanded he be allowed to 'no comment' - "You will allow me not to comment on particular stories in the press," - then commented, six-year-old-child-in-a-schoolyard-like "are you a liability for your channel?" The brief clip at the following link: LINK Varoufakis criticized the press for "concocting stories" and added that the Greek government now needed "peace and quiet" in order to get "down to work to put Greece on the path of recovery." ... or just following more orders from the European "uber alles"