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Greece debt crisis: Germany is cast as the villain of the piece as Twitter users spark online debate with #BoycottGermany

Many have seen the austerity measures, which include pension cuts and sweeping sales tax hikes, as too harsh

James Rush
Thursday 16 July 2015 15:04 BST
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German Chancellor Angela Merkel speaks during a media conference after a meeting of eurozone heads of state at the EU Council building in Brussels on Monday, July 13, 2015
German Chancellor Angela Merkel speaks during a media conference after a meeting of eurozone heads of state at the EU Council building in Brussels on Monday, July 13, 2015 (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

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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.

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.

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.

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 #ThisIsACoup hashtag also sparked an online debate this week, with arguments to the contrary being posted under the counter hashtag #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.

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 ministers voting against his recommendation.

Additional reporting by AP

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