The German position could be described as follows: the deficit countries must adjust. They must address their structural problems, reduce domestic demand, become more competitive and increase their exports. But this position has not gone uncontested. Indeed, well-known commentators suggest that surplus countries should bear part of the adjustment burden in order to avoid deflation in deficit countries.
They also point out that not all countries can act like Germany, in other words, not all countries can run a current account surplus. Hence, they suggest that surplus countries should shoulder at least part of the burden.