A number of European officials, and German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble in particular, quite often make statements which appear to be aimed at provoking the wrath of Greek public opinion and leading the country deeper into crisis.

That is the only way to explain the fact that just a day after a particularly tough batch of new austerity measures was ratified in Parliament in Athens, the German finance minister stated that it was too soon to reach a decision regarding the release of a fresh tranche of bailout aid to Greece.

Even if he is distrustful with regard to the implementation of the new measures following their ratification, the German official could be more careful with his remarks and perhaps offer some words of encouragement to this country and its coalition government.

One thing is certain. The Schaeuble tactic is leading local public opinion to extremes and anti-European sentiment. If that is the intention, there is no doubt that it is being accomplished.