[Arctic_]

Not really. The response from the Dutch government was that they did want to help, but did not want to hold the responsibility for paying back the loan from the countries. Which would have been the case with Eurobonds.

Instead, they wanted to help but had some financial reform obligations tied to it, which Italy and Spain were not happy with.

[kuu]

Not really.

"Mr Hoekstra also infuriated some of his finance minister colleagues this week when he suggested that Brussels “investigate” why some economies did not have the fiscal headway to fight a downturn — a veiled dig at Italy and others for failing to reform in benign times. An EU diplomat quoted by Volkskrant described the slight as a “middle finger to the south”."

[the-dude]

How about trying to answer this question? Why is it that the state of Italy has so much problems with their budget?

This is not the first time it has been a problem.

edit: I am Dutch btw, how about you?

[Nasrudith]

They are angry of course but is Mr. Hoekstra wrong factually or even arguably morally?

[chewz]

The idea of solidarity in crisis is that you circle the wagons and protect the vulnerable. Every man for himself is usualy a net loss for everyone.