The Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Jean-Claude Juncker, announced that after his seven and a half years as Prime Minister, he has decided to resign from his position as not only prime minister, but is also giving up his spot in the Euro Group. While he stated that he “encountered endless disappointment and irritation” that’s not the reason as to why he’s leaving. He has been known to be an important figure when it comes to the Eurozone’s two year old debt crisis, but he was always overlooked by The French and German aspect of the debates.
This is interesting when you think about it in a broader sense. People on the outside of Europe always see a brighter side to Europe, thinking of the history, different cultures, everything. Yet, when politics is involved, it’s just like everywhere else; mainly competitive and a bit brutal. It’s surprising to me that the competitiveness of the Euro Group has actually pushed a man out of his position of power, although he claims that there were different reasons behind his leaving. In the article Juncker even states that “It is simply a real time problem. Because of the crisis I barely manage to handle both the work that I have to carry out in Luxembourg and the very strenuous work in the Euro Group,” is what makes it all the more interesting. To me, it is saying that the smaller countries are going to have to fend for themselves while the larger countries try to figure the situation out. Even though they are all a part of the Euro Group, to me it’s like they don’t really have a voice.
Like your post. That he might have been forced out of his position is an interesting perspective, and actually makes sense considering that many of the European heads of state are vying for more control over the euro.
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