Greece Should Quit Euro - Former Finnish PM

[emezico]

Former Finnish Prime Minister and Centre Party Chair, Mari Kiviniemi, says Greece and other member states saddled with debt should consider exiting the eurozone to halt the continent's spiraling debt crisis.

"It is becoming an increasingly viable alternative for distressed economies to consider leaving the euro," said Kiviniemi, adding that "it's vital for each eurozone member to whip its state finances into shape."

The opposition True Finns Party has previously called for Greece and Portugal to leave the euro.
Referring to the prospect of currency devaluation, Kiviniemi said she believes market pressure will force Greece out of the union. Devaluation currently clashes with Greece's membership in the single currency.

Kiviniemi slammed ideas put forward by France and Germany on Monday to create a collective economic government to strengthen the euozone. She said such an arrangement would weaken the position of small member states such as Finland. The former premier meanwhile said she supports proposals or tougher deficit rules and EU-wide taxes on financial transactions.