There is a simple solution for the Greeks. The Americans tax their citizens regardless of residence. Indeed, the British and French both apparently flirted with the same potty idea recently.

Every country has the right to determine who are its citizens. As a gesture of magnanimity to the countries which have both invaded and financially ‘rescued’ Greece, the Greeks confer Greek citizenship upon anyone born in Germany and their issue. They then change the basis of taxation from one of residence to one of citizenship and, beauty of beauties, the Germans would have to assist the Greeks in collecting such tax under the EU directives on cross-border assistance. If anything shows the idiocy of extra-territorial legislation, this example must be one of the best.

Michael Stannard, Verbier, Switzerland

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