It is a common accepted reality that mass media have an inclination to sensationalism. German weekly SPIEGEL got together “Five Horror-Scenarios for Athens” amid political instability due to failed coalition government talks, the perspective of a left anti-bailout government and international threats for Euro exit. To the wishful thinking of SPEIGEL belongs also the scenario that repeat elections would result in a strong ND-PASOK government even thought public surveys conducted after May-6 elections show increasing support for SYRIZA. And further decline for conservative Nea Dimocratia and socialist PASOK.
Ghost of Euro Exit
“Without sustainable government there would be no EU/ECB/IMF aid” predicts DER SPIEGEL quoting statements of German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble. The magazine continues with the hazardous scenario of euro exit and unprecedented social unrest.
In an effort to enlist all the possible plagues for Greece, DER SPIEGEL picks up the best Horror scenario ever: the possibility of a military coup d’ etat.
5. Can there be a military coup?
“If Greece is out of the euro, everything can happen – including a military dictatorship,” warns scientist Heribert Dieter of the SWP [???]. However Greek military, which managed a dictatorship in Greece 1967-1974 , is currently weak. Early November 2011 then Socialist defense minister replaced the entire army top in a surprise coup. They had rebelled against the radical reduction of armaments programs. However, it is quite conceivable that the military would intervene during prolonged unrest – and thus it would be a power factor again.” (Whole article in German) )
“Before that, somebody should give the Greek military gasoline money in order to be able to have the tanks rolling….” I would add.
Maybe the solution for Greece would be a coalition government consisting of editors in chief from SPIEGEL, FOCUS and BILD newspaper.
As FinMin Wolfgang Schaeuble will most likely head the Euro- group, the post of the Greek prime minister could be occupied by any of the Greek-friendly German experts – I do not add names and links here due to a sudden aversion attack.
As for the cabinet, oh, there are enough candidates from Denmark, Holland, Austria, Finland etc.
“the wishful thinking of SPEIGEL”
Huh? Der Spiegel of course isn’t above engaging in wishful thinking, especially when it comes to its own importance as a media power, but the article you mention isn’t an example of this. There’s no kind of hopeful make-believe or sensationalism involved, the story is a brutally honest report about the different scenarios for Greece. Obviously too brutally honest for most Greeks and for you, kt. But then it’s you folks who engage in wishful thinking, not the journalists of Der Spiegel, which did a quite good job. That you can’t bring up a single strong argument against the possible outcomes described in the story (no gas for tanks? Haha!) should show you that they are simply too realistic and that it’s fear, not better knowledge, that triggers your denial. Sorry.
Ihave been following German media for quite a long time to tell they ‘crave’ for military cipt scenarios. I am sorry for Spiegel for falling into this trap to. Do you know better about this issue?
Strangely, my impression is the total opposite, that German media is very critical of military solutions and not “craving” them at all. Especially in comparison with the British and American press.
But what do I know. I only was born into this nation about half a century ago and read all papers and magascenes that got into my hands since the ago of five. That sure can’t compete with your expert knowledge!
😛
No you can’t. I should have kep all the “warnings” I received per e-mail or comments last autumn.
Braking (hehe) news – in a surprise move, Juncker says something reasonable, for a change:
‘Euro group boss demands more patience with Greece’
http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/eurogruppen-chef-juncker-warnt-vor-zu-viel-druck-auf-griechenland-a-832794.html
For once, I agree with the guy. Pressure and insistence on bureaucratic timetables isn’t very helpful now.
something came from Schaeuble today too but had no time to write about.
“somebody should give the Greek military gasoline money in order to be able to have the tanks rollling?”
What tanks? Do you mean that bunch of rusty, worthless junk (out of Germany’s military inventory stock) that have been recently sold to Greece? They won’t roll, with or without gas, anyway.
You have been misimformed my friend. The greek army is very modern and way too powerful for a 11 million coyntry. They have been spending too much money on weapons and training.
just to feed German companies and create jobs, my friend
Would you rather have fed US companies, or Russian ones? Maybe Chinese ones? Or are you arguing for a Greek tank production? I guess NAMCO would have been very happy about such an order! And the Greek military would rely on the Battlepony now, instead of the Leopard. The Turks would love to see that! 😛
I do not argue in favor of anyone and anything. the last thing I’m interesting right now is the military.
Yeah, I believe you aren’t really interested in talking about the military. But still, you raised the point about the tanks, and apparently criticize that the Greek government purchased German Leopards. Well, sorry, but then it’s only reasonable to ask you if you would have preferred to buy that stuff from other nations instead. We Germans produce tanks, among other goods, that’s correct, and btw our arms deals are under much more democratical control than in most, if not all other nations. What’s your problem with that? Do you propose boycotting all German goods while at the same time expecting us to fund the rescue plan for Greece, or what? Please make up your mind instead of making cheap side blows against all things German!
Fact is, Greece wouldn’t be any better off now if the government had bought US Abrams tanks or Russian T-90s. Only a reduction of the military spending may have helped financially, but also resulted in an increased vulnerability toward foreign aggressions. You can make lots of debatable arguments for blaming Germany for the Greek trouble, but that the Greek military bought German hardware doesn’t have any real conncection to the problems now. So, can we focus on the real issues instead, please?
(Don’t Fear) The hidden Hobbits!!!