Sure, they are maybe implementing the wishes of the people ... or shaping public opinion. I bet that framing this crisis as a humanitarian issue and a people vs banks issue, instead of as a lazy greek vs industrious germans, would have fostered solidarity between european nations instead of increasing nationalistic tensions.

We are far away from the climate pre WWI/WWII, but that is the direction we have chosen. Let's hope the next round of politicians are able to take a broader view, and that the current situation is reversible.