The political fallout from the Greek crisis is possibly the biggest problem all sides are grappling with at the moment, according to former Prime Minister Alfred Sant.

The Labour MEP says eurozone members fear that any solution, which allows the Greeks to get their way, could give fuel to populist parties in their own countries.

“This is especially true for countries like Spain and Portugal, which have had to shoulder the burden of austerity over the past few years,” Dr Sant said.

He was speaking to Times of Malta after unveiling his second book ‘Malta and the Euro’ that reproduces his articles on the subject between January 2012 and February 2015.

Asked whether a Greek pullout out of the euro was better for both sides, Dr Sant said any solution would harm either side.

“If the Greek government accedes to the demands of the eurogroup the Syriza party will split causing political problems for prime minister Alexis Tsipras,” Dr Sant said.

Every member state would be doing its political calculations, he added, but institutions like the International Monetary Fund would take into consideration the economic aspect.

Dr Sant said although the general feeling was that a Greek exit from the euro would not create economic turmoil because of the safety mechanisms the eurozone put in place over the past few years, it was still uncharted territory.

Whatever happens, the social impact of the crisis will be big for ordinary Greeks, Dr Sant said.