Jean-Claude Juncker has never been one to mincemwords - and so the Luxembourg prime minister gave it straight when asked Thursday to take stock of economic developments as the long-time president of the influential Eurogroup.
Certain decisions have smacked of "mediocrity," he told lawmakers during a debate at the European Parliament in Brussels.
European governments are "underestimating ... the enormous tragedy of unemployment." The countries making the biggest sacrifices are not being properly rewarded. And some Luxembourg parliamentarians "are sick of the German diktat," he warned.
"I have in my head all that was not achieved. I have in my head all that we did not accomplish. I have in my head all the blunders and all the wrong decisions. I have in my head all the delay elements that we accepted knowingly or unknowingly, which were not conducive to a quick solution to the (economic) crisis," Juncker said.
Nevertheless, Europe is now in a "far better situation" than this time last year thanks to "far-reaching decisions," with the naysayers - "especially those in the Anglo-Saxon world" - being proven wrong.
And yet, Juncker said he is "not reassured," and deems that those proclaiming the end of Europe's financial woes are displaying an inappropriate "tenderness of heart."
The sharp-tongued politician has been one of the most powerful players in the eurozone's enduring debt crisis. He is the only president that the Eurogroup panel of finance ministers has had. This month the 58-year-old is set to step down.
He has become known in Brussels as much for his frankness as his funny turn of phrases and ability to exasperate journalists with one-word answers.
At the European Parliament on Thursday, Juncker was showered with praise from all political ranks.
Liberal EU lawmaker Wolf Klinz on Thursday described him as a "staunch European," while non-attached parliamentarian Hans-Peter Martin decreed that Juncker should be made EU president or the leader of its executive.
Conservative French EU lawmaker Jean-Paul Gauzes called him a "non-conformist wise man," praising the "vigour and quality of truth" he brought to meetings.
But Juncker has also proven implacable when setting through priorities - be it the political appointment of a fellow Luxembourger or his decision to leave the Eurogroup behind.
When asked Thursday why he was sure a successor would be picked at the next Eurogroup meeting on January 21, he retorted: "Because I will resign that very day."
Dutch Finance Minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem has become the leading candidate to replace him, according to diplomats.
Juncker has steadfastly refused to comment on the process or those vying to replace him, but said Thursday that he would advise any successor to listen to all parties and be ready to "be instructed in the thought processes and mental state of others."
"Everyone has the right, the duty and the power to express themselves," he said of the Eurogroup meetings, which have often turned into marathons stretching into the early morning hours.
"Yes, it is possible to do it in less time, but you will see the results in six months if you don't take the time to listen in equal measure to all member states," Juncker warned.
He also cautioned against sidelining non-euro area members or criticizing Europe for domestic political purposes; insisted that more attention should be paid to social issues such as unemployment; and argued that the sacrifices of countries such as Greece should be acclaimed and that those suffering less should do more.
"I am not going to fall into stupid leftism. I won't say the billionaires must pay. But I won't accept that the billionaires do not pay," Juncker noted.
Luxembourg, which he has led since 1995 - thereby qualifying him as the longest-serving premier in Europe - is one of the richest countries in the eurozone.
When pressed by journalists about his future ambitions, Juncker said he would run for re-election in the grand duchy, noting that after 30 years in politics, "the so-called power" that comes with even higher posts "has lost all erotical dimension."
As a souvenir, the parliament's economic and monetary affairs on Thursday handed him a gold-coloured medal featuring a rendering of the legislature's plenary chamber. But Juncker was quick to note that it was only a farewell.
"If you are expressing yourself being a president of the Eurogroup, you have stopped to be a free man," he said. "(Now) I can express my own views ... in a far better manner than I had the
opportunity to do in the last eight years. You will hear from me."