Opinion of this quote

[Filuwaúrdjan]

'…state fiscal transfers will be eroded by the dismantling of the Keynesian welfare systems so intrinsically related to the social democratic consensus politics of the early post-war Fordist era; and (if it happens) European Monetary Union will result in regional inequalities which will be a whole order of magnitude greater than those we see today.'

From an article published (in Urban Studies) in 1994.

[Gustaf]

Yeah, monetary union (in a sense) leads to more economic inequality between regions unless combated with fiscal policy.

[Politico]

Was it really just a scheme to get Germany in control of most of Europe again?

[minionofmidas]

No, to force neoliberal economic policies down Europe's throat. Germany at the time would have preferred monetary union with France and the Benelux countries only.

[Wonkish1]

I do find it funny that many people are now saying that the EMU was a ploy by fiscal conservatives to put the European social welfare states at risk when it was the 'Euro skeptics' were in fact fiscal conservatives warning these events would happen.

[© tweed]

I do find it funny that many people are now saying that the EMU was a ploy by fiscal conservatives to put the European social welfare states at risk when it was the 'Euro skeptics' were in fact fiscal conservatives warning these events would happen.

emotionally (im)potent oversimplification

[Wonkish1]

I do find it funny that many people are now saying that the EMU was a ploy by fiscal conservatives to put the European social welfare states at risk when it was the 'Euro skeptics' were in fact fiscal conservatives warning these events would happen.

emotionally (im)potent oversimplification

Wow, nice retort

[© tweed]

I do find it funny that many people are now saying that the EMU was a ploy by fiscal conservatives to put the European social welfare states at risk when it was the 'Euro skeptics' were in fact fiscal conservatives warning these events would happen.

emotionally (im)potent oversimplification

Wow, nice retort

opposition was of multiple stripes.  came from the left too.

[Gustaf]

The political leanings of people opposed to the euro varies a lot from country to country. In Scandinavia opposition has traditionally come from the left and support from the right. There has been a lot of shifting over the last few decades though, with conservatives becoming increasingly opposed and social democrats increasingly in favour.

In the UK I believe the Tories were the pro-EU party until Thatcher. Since then it has clearly been the other way around.

In the continent I think it's also quite mixed. While far-right parties have tended to be euroskeptic, the Christian Democrats have probably been the most positive. It is their project, after all.

Overall though the mainstream is mindlessly pro-EU everywhere except for England, really. Maybe Poland as well (although their parties tend to be mindless in general...)