In his view, the euro can only function over the long haul if the member states' public finances are sound. Wieland warned against expanding the circle of members in the current situation. "The accession of applicant countries should wait. First of all, it is necessary to ensure that the crisis countries of the monetary union find their way back to sustainable economic growth," he said.
Welt am Sonntag: "Zentralbank in der Klemme"
see also: Die Welt / Welt online: "Ökonomen warnen vor Risikofaktor Italien"