Brian Cowen: Irish politician who served as Taoiseach (prime minister) of Ireland and whose administration coincided with the Irish financial and banking crises. He was also the Minister for Finance in the four years preceding the crisis (2004–2008) when repeated warnings about the property, construction & banking industry were ignored.
George Papaconstantinou: Greek economist and politician, who served as Minister of Finance during the outbreak of the crisis and signed the first EU/IMF bailout for Greece.