alexrpt
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Is Germany signalling that it’s ready to cut the Greek debt?
Via Bloomberg…
In her first public comments since euro-area finance ministers backed the 86 billion-euro ($96 billion) package, Merkel praised Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’s administration for changing tack after a “real confrontation” with Greece’s creditors. Greece must now keep up its “intensity of work” in the same direction, she said.
“We said in July that maybe — no, not maybe — there is still leeway on the extension of maturities, on interest rates,” Merkel said in an interview on Germany’s ZDF television. “One can do more in certain ways. But it’s also clear that within the euro zone there can be no haircut, no reduction in debt.”
IMF pressure for lowering Greece’s debt load and Merkel’s insistence that the fund provide part of the third bailout is placing the chancellor in a dilemma. German lawmakers, who will vote Wednesday on approving the aid package, have pressed for a clear commitment by the IMF.
IMF head Christine Lagarde has “made it very clear” that she will advocate “that the IMF joins the program in October,” if conditions including debt relief are met, Merkel said. “And I have no doubt that what Mrs. Lagarde said will then become reality.”
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The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.