The comments made by the head of the Eurozone’s finance ministers, Jeroen Dijsselbloem have triggered a bitter battle across the European continent. Speaking in an interview with the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), Mr. Dijsselbloem accused some countries in the Eurozone of wasting money in alcohol and women. He said, “During the crisis of the euro, the countries of the North have shown solidarity with the countries affected by the crisis. As a Social Democrat, I attribute exceptional importance to solidarity. [But] you also have obligations. You cannot spend all the money on drinks and women and then ask for help.”

Southern Eurozone countries include Spain, Italy, Greece, and Portugal. Greece and Portugal were bailed out by the EU and the International Monetary Fund in 2010 and Spain’s banking sector was rescued with creditors’ fund in 2012.

Despite given opportunities to apologize, Mr. Dijsselbloem has stood by his comments and clarified that he was not hinting at particular countries but all those who do not abide by rules of the bloc. He cited his own country’s (Netherlands) failure to comply with the rules a few years ago. His comments have triggered a furor especially from the Southern countries who are now calling for his resignation. His position as the head of the finance ministers weakened after his party suffered a major setback in the Dutch election. The number of seats for his PvdA declined from 38 to just 9.

Spanish MEP Gabriel Mato, former Prime Minister of Italy Matteo Renzi, Portugal's Santos Silva, Gianni Pitella, head of the Socialist grouping in the European parliament, Spanish MEP Ernest Urtasun; all called for his resignation from the post.

Comments like these only increase the rift between nations within the EU and Eurozone at a time when their existence is under threat.