It seems like only yesterday that the Euro was born, to financiers and lawmakers who were brimming with hope and optimism about the future. But in reality, the common currency, which was born on January 1, 1999, is showing serious signs of preteen turmoil, and it’s relatively clear that its parents are not quite sure how to solve the problems.
This weekend alone, thousands of protesters have taken to the streets in London and Madrid to protest against the high unemployment plaguing the Eurozone and the proposed austerity measures that, if implemented, may save the Euro but will likely wreak havoc on the lives of millions of individuals living in the region, which will surely lead to a different type of civil unrest. Though many aren’t entirely surprised, the Euro seems to have embraced the split personality of many pre-teens, as each Eurozone leader is trying to impose his or her own agenda in an effort to save the common currency. But analysts are concerned that with all of the attention focusing inwards, policymakers aren’t focusing on external factors that will also play a role in how the region fares both politically and economically. It may not be possible to predict now how Eurozone leaders will resolve the financial hardships in the region, but there’s no question that a bit of Euro humor can definitely shift the focus off the pain for a few happy seconds.