Survey: Two thirds of Germans doubt Athens' budget intentions

Feb 10, 2012, 11:12 GMT

Berlin - Two thirds of Germans doubt that Greece is serious about budget cuts, according to a survey published Friday by public broadcaster ZDF.

Just 27 per cent of those asked thought that Greece was seriously trying to implement promised austerity measures, while 66 per cent expressed doubt.

However, those surveyed were divided over the prospect of a Greek insolvency. While 46 per cent thought the eurozone should accept the possibility, the same amount said it must be avoided.

A majority of 62 per cent thought the German economy would be negatively affected if Greece went bankrupt, while 18 per cent thought the consequences would be positive.

Chancellor Angela Merkel's crisis management was rated positively by 69 per cent of those surveyed, against 23 per cent who thought her handling of the crisis was poor.

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