Meet the New Boss (But It’s Literally the Same Person)
The European Union is so hostile to democracy that its new leadership is entirely made of people who have already been in power for years. It doesn’t matter if their policies ruined millions of lives — the only requirement was being on the side of the wealthy.
In this International Monetary Fund handout, then–IMF managing director Christine Lagarde is joined by the Interim World Bank president Kristalina Georgieva (not seen) during a Women’s Day event at the IMF headquarters on March 8, 2019.Stephen Jaffe / IMF via Getty
There is a particular kind of sadism in rewarding a torturer with power. But for the Greeks, Italians, Cypriots, Irish, and Portuguese — and for the many other victims of the austerity politics of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and its troika allies — a torturers’ road show is just beginning.
In a remarkable, last-ditch attempt at recycling technocrats through the top posts, European Union leaders hashed out a backroom deal to nominate four candidates for the EU’s leadership.
Ursula von der Leyen — Angela Merkel’s defense minister, who was embroiled in a spending scandal involving tens of millions in payments to elite consultancies like McKinsey — was nominated to run the European Commission. She was voted through in the European Parliament with a paper-thin majority.
This article is for subscribers only. Please login or subscribe to access our full archives and beautiful print and digital magazine starting at just $3 a month.