http://hubski.com/pub?id=5783 I'm no expert, but in a nutshell, this is about a tension between saving the Euro (and maybe the EU), and the independence of member countries. Basically, the problem boils down to the fact that the Euro is one currency used by multiple countries with different domestic fiscal policies. Time has demonstrated that this doesn't work well. For example, with Greece, they could get cheap debt for the last several years because they had the strength of other economies such as France and Germany to back them up. However, what happened, is that Greece accumulated more debt than their economy could bear. Once there was a downturn, this became painfully evident. Well, typically, a country solves this problem by printing currency and devaluing it. However, this is not in the interests of Germany or France who are doing well enough, and Germany has an allergic reaction to inflation. As a result, they put the pressure on Greece to cut cut cut, and they lend them some more cash. And Greece cuts. But, this shrinks their economy, and they are even less able to pay off their debt, or the new loans they just got. So Germany and France say, "Ok, here's some more cheap cash. Cut some more." And they do, and, no surprise, it gets worse. So then, Germany and France say "Ok, here's some cash... and Pampandreou says "No. Fuck you". This sucks. And so Germany and France say "No. Fuck you." and Pampandreou is gone, replaced by a someone willing to play Germany and France's game. But, oh, God. Now Italy looks like they can't pay off their debt. And no one can afford that. Their economy and debt is several times larger than Greece's. So, without fucking around, out goes Berlusconi, and in comes another economist that will play ball. Farage is basically calling this the sacrifice of European countries on the altar of a unified Europe, -one that is dominated by Germany's interests. Here's an interesting article about where things are at, and what Merkel might do: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/8901038/T...