With the EU seemingly in its seven years of drought, Kurt Sansone gauges how ­Maltese living in Europe perceive the austerity measures that have changed the quality of life in their adoptive countries.

The Christmas decorations may be out but the flashing lights will do little to lift the spirits of those across Europe who have seen their consumption patterns and lifestyle change radically in the face of austerity measures.

In the aftermath of a global recession during which European governments splashed out money to keep their economies afloat, economists have been warning that the time has come for deficits to be reeled in.

Some economists of the Keynesian type have cautioned against the sudden withdrawal of government support measures and investment so soon after the global downturn, fearing a double dip recession.

However, with market speculators pushing heavily indebted Greece and Ireland to the edge, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund have been leading the charges for massive reductions in public spending to stave off similar problems and save the euro from collapse.

For many Europeans, cuts, austerity measures and sacrifices have become the order of the day but the textbook solution posited by experts is leaving many victims in its wake as people are rudely awakened to a changed lifestyle.

Margaret Mantzourani, 55, believes it is the common people who are always the first to suffer when crisis hits.

Of Maltese origin, Ms Mantzourani has been living in Greece for 34 years and she speaks of radically altered lifestyles in a country that was pushed to the brink of collapse by government mismanagement of public funds.

Earlier this year Greece was bailed out by its EU partners but the lifesaver had strict conditions attached to it.

According to Ms Mantzourani many small businesses and shops have had to close because much less cash is going around while wages and pensions have been slashed and prices are rocketing because of higher VAT.

“People understand something had to be done and they realise the shots are being called by the IMF and the European Central Bank. However, they are ­uncertain of whether this is the correct way of doing things,” she says.

Similar concerns are expressed by Debbie Grech and her husband, Winter Moods frontman Ivan, who recently moved to Ireland.

“A lot of Irish people have lost their jobs and the recent bailout only means it’s going to get tougher. People are expecting the worst.”

Ireland was the second eurozone country to be bailed out of its economic woes by the IMF and the ECB but securing the €85 billion loan meant wide and deep austerity measures that laid to rest the soul of the revered Celtic Tiger held up as a model of prosperity in the past.

“We still have to wait and see how this will affect our day-to-day lives but the mood is anything but good,” the Grechs say in the wake of massive protests on the streets of Dublin.

Young Irish workers seeking employment abroad and the prospect of a poorer nation will not serve as a backdrop for Mr Grech’s musical inspiration though.

“I think music inspired by an economic recession and austerity measures would be rather depressing and boring. Thankfully, we have many more inspirations to turn to when composing new songs,” he says.

Just across the sea from Ireland, osteopath Mario Paul Cassar, 63, speaks of a gloomy mood in the UK. Married and with no children, Mr Cassar says his personal circumstances grant him some financial comfort but acknowledges the austerity drive has led to some changes in lifestyle.

“We are looking after the penny,” he says, adding that his family would be more careful with heating costs and planning their menus better to save on food shopping expenses.

“A lot of people are worried about losing their job and so it is not the best of moods. People are saving more since they fear the worst,” he says.

Deep cuts in welfare and child benefits announced last month in the budget have not hit Mr Cassar but through his private practice he has seen a drop in visits by regular clients.

“Employees in the public sector have suffered a lot. A couple, friends of ours, used to work in a government department. They have three children and they both lost their job at the same time. It is hard to stomach job losses, especially when they hit your neighbours and friends.”

It is this unpalatable truth that has dampened festive spirits across Europe and fuelled anger among the masses. In London, students have taken to the streets protesting higher tuition fees, which risk pushing poorer ­students out of university education.

But the cuts in the UK will also trim council budgets, which Mr Cassar says will rebound on residents in the form of higher costs for services.

Back in Greece Ms Mantzourani says Christmas will definitely not be the same for many people, who were used to lucrative holiday bonuses.

Many in Greece, she adds, are saying it will take some 24 years to emerge from the difficulties and repay the national debt that has accumulated over 30 years.

“It will be 24 long patient years,” she says with a smile, hoping that the good times will start to roll again before that.