'Forever children'

"Varoufakis is Europe's heartbreaker" recently was a popular headline on a large number of Greek Internet pages, when the female moderator of one of the main news broadcasts on German television attributed a certain charisma to the new Greek finance minister. Then again, "Deutsche Welle launches personal attack on Varoufakis" was the message on countless websites and blogs in Greece after a DW opinion piece claimed that this newcomer to fiscal policy had a recognizable "propensity for impertinence."

The new Greek left-wing government divides tempers like no other in Europe: Is Athens governed by a team of charismatic young politicians, or by a bunch of unscrupulous charlatans? And how are the ordinary Greek citizens supposed to enjoy their cup of morning coffee in the face of what might turn out to be the final chapter in their euro tragedy?

Betrayed by their own politicians

The crisis-ridden Greeks feel betrayed by their own politicians, who have steered the country's course over the past decades, while they were being derided by the rest of Europe as idle scroungers. The social-democratic PASOK and the conservative Nea Dimokratia, both primarily responsible for the mismanagement and corruption, already were suitably punished by the Greeks and relegated to the opposition benches. Following years of scolding and hardships, the new SYRIZA government returns to many Greeks the much-missed sentiment of "We are somebody again." Whether the Tsipras government creates any real chances for an improvement of their actual situation is currently of minor importance to the Greeks.

The situation is more complicated with respect to the European partners and international backers: here, the Greeks feel treated unfairly in principle. German Chancellor Angela Merkel's election campaign speech, during which she suggested that southern Europeans had too much leisure time, is not easily forgotten. Her claim was not confirmed by European statistics - elsewhere, there are fewer working hours. Likewise, the cliché of the allegedly reform-averse Greeks - constantly cultivated by the German public - is not easily ignored. Meanwhile, a recent OECD study instead confirms Germany's current unwillingness to reform.

When, a few months ago, British Prime Minister David Cameron challenged freedom of movement within the EU - one of the most important pillars of European integration -, he had to face harsh criticism by the European press. But he was not torn to pieces. Why are, today, leading media trying to ridicule Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras? Just because he dares to suggest minor changes to cast-iron eurozone regulations? Or because he is Greek, and therefore a second-rate conversation partner from the outset?

Greek traumas and allergies

All in all, the Greeks see themselves at the receiving end of a campaign which, in addition, is unfair. By now, it is only a short step from a latent sentiment to assuming the victim's role. The history and political culture of Greece complete a distorted view of reality: deeply entrenched in the modern Greek soul is the trauma of Turkish rule, which lasted for centuries, followed by a period of patronization executed by western powers. That soul is still allergic to foreign instructions and dictates, which is why the Troika's monitoring over the past years was increasingly felt to be a symbol of repression by external powers, as opposed to a logical consequence of failed Greek policies.

It is a futile exercise to accuse the Greeks today of not having arrived properly in the modern age. Continued chastising of this rather congenial, if obstinate, nation on Europe's periphery won't help either. A weak family member always requires more affection than the stronger ones. Otherwise, it will permanently annoy its relatives. The Greek philosopher Plato was already aware of this more than 2,000 years ago: In one of his dialogues, an old Egyptian priest exclaims, "You Greeks will remain forever children!"