German analyst Jakob Augstein, the grandson of the founder of Spiegel magazine, expressed support for Greece and urged German Chancellor Angela Merkel to concentrate on unifying Europe instead of applying a “senseless policy” vis-a-vis Greece.

In his article – called an “open letter” to Merkel, Augstein said Berlin’s policies have caused rifts in both Europe and Greece, as well as undermined the EU spirit of peace.

He charged that German policy, based on an export-driven economy within the euro zone, one the one hand, and opposition to a further political integration is nonsense.

He further cited a Merkel quip in 2011, allegedly hinting that Greeks were lazy, underlining that “in Europe, it’s not possible for someone to be constantly on holiday while others have hardly any.”

However, Spiegel reports that the average Greek employee works, according to the OECD, 2,039 hours a year, Americans 1,786, Italians 1,786, while Germans just 1,405.

So much for quantity, the parameter of “quality” should next be the focus.