GETTY/EPA The EU Commission will fine Greece over its help for ship builders

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Out of touch eurocrats are seeking a court order for a massive financial crackdown on the struggling country, which has been driven into third world poverty by EU policies. They want to impose a six million euro upfront penalty on Greece’s cash-strapped government, to be followed by a daily levy of 34,974 euros.

The row has erupted because Greek ministers used taxpayers money to save the Hellenic Shipyards company in 2008, guaranteeing the jobs of more than a thousand workers. The shipyard was one of the country’s biggest and the government provided a temporary rescue package, before selling it on to a German company, in a case echoing Britain’s bid to save the Port Talbot steelworks.

GETTY Greece has been plunged into poverty by EU policies

GETTY The country is facing financial ruin but the EU still wants to punish it

But, despite Greece’s dire economic situation, bureaucrats at the EU Commission decided to take the elected Greek government to court, arguing that the state aid was illegal under Brussels law. Following a series of cases before the European Court of Justice the Commission is now hammering home the judgements and demanding a massive financial penalty. Under the terms they are seeking Greece will be required to pay 34,974 euros to Brussels every day until it has recouped all of the 250 million euros it used to bail out Hellenic Shipyards. The Commission said in a statement: “More than seven years after its adoption, Greece still has not implemented the Commission decision of June 2008, ordering the recovery of over 250 million euros of unlawful state aid to Hellenic Shipyards.”

Protest in Greece turns violent Tue, May 16, 2017 Shocking photographs depict clashes between police and protesters Play slideshow EPA 1 of 38 Protesters clash with riot police during a protest at Syntagma square, in Athens, Greece, 17 May 2017

The decision to pursue the case is likely to spark anger in a country which has been sacrificed into third-world poverty at the altar of German banks and French farmers. Greece has been devastated by EU financial policies, with youth unemployment standing at over 50 per cent and and a shocking report by its Ministry of Labour revealing that 126,000 of those who are in work are taking home less than 100 euros a month. Just under 350,000 Greek workers now take home between 100 and 400 euros a month - the equivalent of £80-£330 - after joblessness rocketed and salaries collapsed. In a tweet which has since been deleted Greek centre-right MP Giorgos Koumoutsakos warned: “Violence is everywhere, along with worthlessness and constant off-life values.” “A return to the fundamental is the only progressive option.”