Germany denies rumours that it expects a Greek default

Feb 15, 2012, 14:27 GMT

Berlin - Germany denied Wednesday news reports that it expects the Greek government to ultimately default on its debts.

'I can clearly say on behalf of the federal government that these rumours are false. There has been no such decision by Germany,' said Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman, Steffen Seibert.

He was referring to news reports this week that some pro-Merkel politicians now believe a default by Athens is the next-best solution if Greece cannot muster the resolve to put its fiscal problems right.

Seibert said Germany was working with European partners to create a feasible path for Greece out of crisis.

'That is the spirit and the meaning of the second (bailout) programme for Greece. This is the spirit behind the considerable debt writedown by the private creditors that is under negotiation,' he said.