This cartoon by Mac from the Daily Mail relates to the controversial bailout that threatens to force savers in Cyprus to take a €5.8bn (£5bn) hit to their deposits. The terms of the bailout – €10bn of which comes from the eurozone and €7bn from Cyprus through the bank levy and austerity measures – have led to concerns that the €100,000 of savings guaranteed across the EU under an agreement reached in the wake of the 2008 banking crisis is being undermined. Read more >>
The cartoon shows a gang of armed robbers about to rob (or raid) a bank. The getaway car driver tells the two robbers who are entering the bank, "No need for guns, lads. Just tell them you're from the EU." Meanwhile, there's a long queue of people outside the bank cashpoint, which has been closed so savers cannot withdraw their money.
EXPLANATION
The Cyprus bailout has been described by the Mail as "the great EU bank robbery", and there have been many references in the media to a "raid" on savings accounts. The cartoon offers an ironic view of a situation in which the EU is widely considered to have "stolen" savers' money.
VOCABULARY
1. During a bank robbery, the robbers steal money from the bank and then escape with their loot in a getaway car.
2. In Britain, some men refer to their male friends or colleagues as lads.
