THE DEPARTING HEAD of the group of Eurozone finance ministers has attacked France and Germany for acting “as if they are the only members of the group”.
Luxembourg’s prime minister Jean-Claude Juncker, who is due to step down from the position in June, said he was not keen to remain in the position as the permanent head of the Eurogroup because of the stance of the two big countries.
Bloomberg quotes Juncker as telling a discussion in Hamburg:
They act as if they are the only members of the group.
Despite his statement, however, Juncker still offered vocal support for German finance minister Wolfgang Schauble as a potential successor, saying he had “superb qualifications” as well as the “personal capacity” needed to accept the input of others.
Juncker had cited a heavy workload and mild health concerns when he announced his intention to quit the job in the middle of last month.
He will remain on as Luxembourg’s prime minister, maintaining his status as the longest-serving elected head of government anywhere in the world.
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