There were signs a group of triple A-rated governments, including Germany, Finland and the Netherlands, were hardening their stance towards Athens. During a conference call among eurozone finance minsters, the three countries suggested they may want additional letters from other smaller Greek parties and openly discussed the possibility of postponing Greek elections.

Ahead of the call, Wolfgang Schäuble, the German finance minister, said in a radio interview Greece might delay its polls and install a technocratic government that does not include politicians like Mr  Venizelos and Mr Samaras, similar to the model currently in place in Italy.

This is the ultimate perversion of the EU.  Its gone from a body which established and reinforced democracy across Europe to one which is advocating its removal in an effort to plunder one member state for the benefit of another.