The New York Times on Thursday blasted Germany as being driven by selfishness and nationalism in times of crisis triggered by free-spending Greeks and bubbles in countries like Spain.

In an editorial titled "Germany vs. Europe," the newspaper "of record" published a blistering critique of Germany’s response to the eurozone emergency.

The editorial cites a recent story in the mass circulation Bild, Germany’s biggest and most sensationalist paper, as evidence how the country was rife with anti-Greek sentiment.

The Bild story suggested that Greece sell the Acropolis to pay for her  budget deficit rather that relying on Germany's and other countries' money.  Similarily, a politician called on Greece to sell some of their islands.

This was seen in Germany as a classic tabloid effort to sell newspapers with populism.

Would the New York Times base an editorial on US healthcare reform on Fox News reporting? asked the Berlin-based English-language online newspaper The Local? 

The Times editorial goes on to attack Germany for refusing to simply open its checkbook and pay off the European Union’s problems as it has for much of the post-war era.

Certainly, criticism of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s dithering approach to the Greek crisis is warranted, and contrary to the Times' claim of widesprad support for populists' aims, Merkel has been severely criticized in talk shows and editorials for her foot-dragging and lack of leadership.

On the other hand, many Germans are understandably upset by the fact that their salaries have hardly increased in past years and their social benefits are being cut while the opposite has occured in Greece.

"No one at the Times would ever have questioned the United States or France for sticking up for the national interest, writes The Local's Marc Young.

"It’s only when Germany suddenly decides to assert itself that a respectable paper can have the gall to speak of “nationalist illusions,” conjuring up images of jackbooted thugs marching across the Rhine."

Perhaps most absurdly, he says, "the Times faintly praised Germany for resisting the fiscal recklessness of some other EU nations – and the US – yet demanded Berlin now spend like a drunken sailor to save the global economy from certain disaster."

For full NYT editorial, please click HERE

Please also read Ambassador Klaus Scharioth's response in a letter to the editor