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Greece debt crisis: Germany is cast as the villain of the piece as Twitter users spark online debate with #BoycottGermany Greece debt crisis: Germany is cast as the villain of the piece as Twitter users spark online debate with #BoycottGermany
(about 4 hours later)
As Germany's parliament prepares to vote on a third bailout for Greece on Friday, the country has found some of its most famous brands caught up in an online debate after Twitter users demanded the country face a "boycott".As Germany's parliament prepares to vote on a third bailout for Greece on Friday, the country has found some of its most famous brands caught up in an online debate after Twitter users demanded the country face a "boycott".
Greece has paved the way for the bailout which could potentially save the country from bankruptcy after ministers voted harsh austerity measures through parliament following a night of civil unrest on the streets of Athens.Greece has paved the way for the bailout which could potentially save the country from bankruptcy after ministers voted harsh austerity measures through parliament following a night of civil unrest on the streets of Athens.
Many have seen the austerity measures, which include pension cuts and sweeping sales tax hikes, as too harsh, with people across the world voicing their anger earlier this week at European leaders with the hashtag #ThisIsACoup. Many however have seen the austerity measures, which include pension cuts and sweeping sales tax hikes, as too harsh, with people across the world voicing their anger earlier this week at European leaders using the hashtag #ThisIsACoup.
Others meanwhile have focused more closely on the part Germany has played in the crisis, with the country facing a backlash from activists and others for its perceived role in the situation Greece now finds itself in.Others meanwhile have focused more closely on the part Germany has played in the crisis, with the country facing a backlash from activists and others for its perceived role in the situation Greece now finds itself in.
The hashtag #BoycottGermany started to be tweeted regularly over the weekend, with its popularity peeking at the beginning of this week, according to analytics site Topsy. At the time of writing more than 32, 000 tweets had featured the hashtag.The hashtag #BoycottGermany started to be tweeted regularly over the weekend, with its popularity peeking at the beginning of this week, according to analytics site Topsy. At the time of writing more than 32, 000 tweets had featured the hashtag.
my proposal: Germany now morally obliged to repay Nazi debt canceled in 1953. With interest. We must #BoycottGermany until they do.my proposal: Germany now morally obliged to repay Nazi debt canceled in 1953. With interest. We must #BoycottGermany until they do.
All the planet #BoycottGermany. Support south Europe, democracy, human rights. #ThisIsACoup #OTRASeattle pic.twitter.com/V65SlAKmZeAll the planet #BoycottGermany. Support south Europe, democracy, human rights. #ThisIsACoup #OTRASeattle pic.twitter.com/V65SlAKmZe
Due to Germany imposed austerity, I no longer have money to buy German products #BoycottGermany
we must launch a campaign to Boycott German product and support #greece #tsipras #Syriza #boycottgermany @europeanleftwe must launch a campaign to Boycott German product and support #greece #tsipras #Syriza #boycottgermany @europeanleft
Many of the tweets using the hashtag call for famous Germany products and brands to be boycotted while others highlighted the debt relief Germany received after the Second World War from creditors including Greece. Many of the tweets using the hashtag call for famous German products and brands to be boycotted while others highlighted the debt relief Germany received after the Second World War from creditors including Greece.
The hashtag however has sparked debate among Twitter users, with a number of other people suggesting damaging Germany's economy is not the best way to help Greece.The hashtag however has sparked debate among Twitter users, with a number of other people suggesting damaging Germany's economy is not the best way to help Greece.
#BoycottGermany is idiotic. We are Europeans. We have to solve our problems in solidarity, and rise above this bigotry. #SupportGreece#BoycottGermany is idiotic. We are Europeans. We have to solve our problems in solidarity, and rise above this bigotry. #SupportGreece
#BoycottGermany 1/2 I´m asking again:How is this in anyway supporting Greece&Greek ppl?Harming Germany´s economy is NOT getting Greek´s up!#BoycottGermany 1/2 I´m asking again:How is this in anyway supporting Greece&Greek ppl?Harming Germany´s economy is NOT getting Greek´s up!
The #ThisIsACoup hashtag also sparked an online debate this week, with arguments to the contrary being posted under the counter hashtag #ThisIsNotACoup.The #ThisIsACoup hashtag also sparked an online debate this week, with arguments to the contrary being posted under the counter hashtag #ThisIsNotACoup.
Seriously folks ... THIS IS NOT A COUP - It's a very bad bullying deal yes ... But #ThisIsNotACoup - Have you ever seen a coup? been in one?Seriously folks ... THIS IS NOT A COUP - It's a very bad bullying deal yes ... But #ThisIsNotACoup - Have you ever seen a coup? been in one?
There is no right to a bailout. And failing to grant a bailout is not a coup. #thisisnotacoupThere is no right to a bailout. And failing to grant a bailout is not a coup. #thisisnotacoup
The Greek government has been left facing serious civil unrest after voting through the austerity measures it hopes will result in a third bailout.The Greek government has been left facing serious civil unrest after voting through the austerity measures it hopes will result in a third bailout.
Finance ministers from euro countries were due to hold a conference call to consider financing a rescue deal for Greece and the European Central Bank is also considering a request from Athens to increase emergency assistance to Greek banks. Finance ministers from euro countries were due to hold a conference call today to consider financing a rescue deal for Greece and the European Central Bank is also considering a request from Athens to increase emergency assistance to Greek banks.
The vote in the Greek parliament on Thursday night triggered a revolt in the ruling Syriza party with several of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras's prominent minister voting against his recommendation. The vote in the Greek parliament on Thursday night triggered a revolt in the ruling Syriza party with several of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras's prominent ministers voting against his recommendation.
Additional reporting by APAdditional reporting by AP