‘Berlin criticises austerity and accuses Barroso of incompetence’

Published on 16 May 2013

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German officials have criticised the policy of austerity and tax increases – the two economic tools favoured by the troika of international leaders – accusing the European Commission of incompetence and stiffness, reports the daily.

"Berlin considers tax increases to be a mistake, which penalises disadvantaged populations and kills economic growth," writes Público, without identifying its sources.

"Berlin’s irritation" is particularly aimed at the European Commission and its President José Manuel Barroso, which the newspaper says paradoxical, "as many of the austerity conditions applied to countries within the rescue programme are implicitly presented in Brussels as result of German demands."

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