Business

German Chancellor: Yeah, We’re Getting Pretty Fed up With Greece

Angela Merkel Openly Admits That Carrying Greeces Weight Is Becoming a Major Nuisance

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (Getty)

BERLIN (TheBlaze/AP) — Chancellor Angela Merkel said she understands the frustration felt by many Germans over the repeated bailout programs for debt-ridden Greece, but insisted they are in her country’s self-interest because they help stabilize the eurozone as a whole.

Merkel’s comments came a day after Germany’s parliament voted in favor of granting Greece more lenient terms on its bailout program, clearing a necessary hurdle for disbursing a €44 billion ($57 billion) rescue loan payment in December.

“I obviously feel many citizens’ skepticism, and partly understand it, because Greece has often disappointed its partners in the past,” Merkel told Sunday tabloid Bild am Sonntag in an interview released Saturday. “A lot of what the Greek leadership has promised wasn’t lived up to.”

The new Greek government, however, “finally” shows the necessary resolve “to change the country, to create modern structures,” she said.

A German poll published Friday showed that 46 percent of 1,300 people polled favored letting Greece go bankrupt, only 43 percent thought Greece should receive further rescue loans. A total of 69 percent of those surveyed for public broadcaster ZDF thought that Greece itself hasn’t done enough to overcome the crisis. The ZDF poll’s margin of error was 3 percent.

Overly indebted Greece, which is about to enter its sixth consecutive year of a deep recession that has pushed unemployment up to 25 percent, is being kept afloat with rescue loans from its European partners and the International Monetary Fund in return for implementing harsh budget cuts and structural reforms.

“For the large majority of Greeks this upheaval comes with great sacrifices, especially the poor in Greece go through very hard times,” Merkel told the newspaper.

The chancellor added that assisting Greece was “in Germany’s interest” because it helps stabilize the 17-nation eurozone on which her nation’s prosperity depends.

“I will continue to do what is best for Germany and Europe and what keeps the financial consequences as little as possible and does not expose us to unacceptable risks,” she said.

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Comments (82)

  • Zatoichi
    Posted on December 2, 2012 at 9:01am

    Let Greece go over the cliff, they fully deserve it.

    Report this comment

    Zatoichi  
  • betterpart
    Posted on December 2, 2012 at 5:56am

    This woman should repeat her sentiments regarding Greece’s irresponsibility and multiple bail-outs to the Obama character.

    Report this comment

    betterpart  
  • DisposableWorker
    Posted on December 2, 2012 at 2:13am

    http://greece.greekreporter.com/2012/11/27/greek-jews-strategize-on-how-to-combat-golden-dawns-anti-semitic-streak/

    Report this comment

    DisposableWorker  
  • DisposableWorker
    Posted on December 2, 2012 at 1:57am

    Attention LANCE_GIBSON:
    You now owe “The Blaze” $ 6,276.00 for advertisement fees and a further $357.00 per day in damages restitution as long as your ad is on their site.

    Report this comment

    DisposableWorker  
  • 1776boy
    Posted on December 2, 2012 at 1:33am

    The Eurozone needs to cut Greece lose and let it solve its own troubles cut there losses and RUN

    Report this comment

    1776boy  
    • sillyfreshness
      Posted on December 2, 2012 at 1:53am

      Maybe the US can send a bailout package to Greece as well. After all, it’s in our best interest too if the Eurozone is stable. We should send bailout packages to all countries in the world to bail them out, since a stable world is in our best interest. Maybe the US can go one quadrillion in debt to bail out the world. Make it where every man, woman, and child in America is 1 million in debt due to all our bailouts.

      Let’s face it, California is America’s Greece. That is a state that is dragging down the rest of our country just like Greece is dragging down the Eurozone. Kick Greece out and let them fall just like the US should let California fall when that time comes.

      Report this comment

      sillyfreshness  
    • JACKTHETOAD
      Posted on December 2, 2012 at 4:01am

      More people should steam their food anyway. It’s healthier.

      Report this comment

      JACKTHETOAD  
    • longknifed
      Posted on December 2, 2012 at 12:03pm

      So they are tired of receiving bailouts from the federal reserve and giving some of it to Greece? They are tired of repackaging gifts?

      Report this comment

      longknifed  
  • Chuck Stein
    Posted on December 2, 2012 at 1:18am

    This will sound harsh, but I will say it. Let the Greeks go. Cut them loose. They have a rich history of social and political innovation and survival (sure, that is absolutely ANCIENT history, but they talk enough about it, so it will inspire them). With the eyes of the West (the world, even) upon them, the Greeks will have center stage again.
    Time for some more “Glory of Greece”, folks — please proceed.

    Report this comment

    Chuck Stein  
  • lefthook37
    Posted on December 2, 2012 at 1:13am

    Field Marshall Van stoop…crank up the panzers…….YA VOL

    Report this comment

    lefthook37  
  • Ghandi was a Republican
    Posted on December 2, 2012 at 12:07am

    Figure it out.. You are dealing with Alinsky communist radicals who’s sole goal is to take you down.
    We in the U.S. will say NO NO NO to anyone who appeases obama and the Democrats. We know who they are. No more debt spending. Cut off the head of the snake..

    Report this comment

    Ghandi was a Republican  
    • WarMunger_Al
      Posted on December 2, 2012 at 10:06am

      most couldn’t even be bothered with showing up to vote, they won’t show up to oppose the bankrupting of America either.

      Report this comment

      WarMunger_Al  
  • hslusher
    Posted on December 2, 2012 at 12:03am

    The only shame is how many good and decent conservatives will get hurt or killed by this regime when it all hits the fan

    Report this comment

    hslusher  
    • Ghandi was a Republican
      Posted on December 2, 2012 at 12:11am

      Not happening. Anyway, If the commies were to get everything they wanted it the revolution to take them down would begin approximately the next day. They would have no more allies because they would no longer be able to lie about what they are doing. The people will be in full revolt. That is the sheer idiocy of these alinsky radicals. They do not get it. Look at what they have to go thru to hide their true agenda. The time will come when they are right up against it.

      Report this comment

      Ghandi was a Republican  
    • WarMunger_Al
      Posted on December 2, 2012 at 10:10am

      Ghandi-
      the Americans for self determination has all but fizzled, the majority of Americans favor zero personal responsibility and government control of their lives.

      Report this comment

      WarMunger_Al  
  • TexasKnight
    Posted on December 1, 2012 at 11:10pm

    Can we get money from Germany too?
    We have alot more debt than Greece, and if we declare bankruptcy, it will hurt the global economy alot worse than Greece.
    With a few more years of obamanomics, we will have the unemployment rate near 25% also.
    Personally, I am looking forward to the rolling blackouts next summer. I wonder if they will cause major riots in California and NYC.

    Report this comment

    TexasKnight  
    • SUNTZU
      Posted on December 1, 2012 at 11:28pm

      In Germans best interest to stabilize the Eurozone or
      stimulate the G spot
      Its only money and we can print more.

      Report this comment

      SUNTZU  
  • garbagecanlogic
    Posted on December 1, 2012 at 10:40pm

    Methinks merkel is on her way out.

    Praise Be To Obama. Psalm 109:8

    The U.S. Out Of The U.N.
    The U.N. Out Of The U.S.

    Report this comment

    garbagecanlogic  
  • Elena2010
    Posted on December 1, 2012 at 10:32pm

    She does not look like a very happy camper! Can’t say I blame her.

    She and Bibi are the only leaders left in the free world. Add Putin, and you have the only 3 people who actually possess leadership who are in charge of their respective countries.

    Report this comment

    Elena2010  
  • stopprintn
    Posted on December 1, 2012 at 9:53pm

    I think that if Greece goes down we all may follow suit. With all the credit default swaps and such. I think Goldman Sachs is leveraged out about 540% to a tune of 220 Trillion in these deals.

    Report this comment

    stopprintn  
    • rickroland
      Posted on December 1, 2012 at 10:07pm

      Unless the US Federal government drastically (one might say even “horrifically”) doesn’t cut spending this within the next few months, within two years, the U.S. will be worse than recent Greece, by leaps and bounds, no matter what happens with Greece.

      Report this comment

      rickroland  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on December 1, 2012 at 10:17pm

      Its going to start when one country of Europe, not necessarily Greece, takes the death plunge and the rest will follow – then us – all too quickly due to the insanity of Obama’s Euro for Dollars.

      Report this comment

      Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • JungleTrump
      Posted on December 1, 2012 at 11:41pm

      America has about 3 more years before we hit the entitlement threshold. At that point we’d activate austerity measures and become a dictatorship.

      Report this comment

      JungleTrump  
    • Elena2010
      Posted on December 2, 2012 at 5:23pm

      You’re quite right Snow. It was Germany the last time to took the rest of Europe w/it during the days of hyperinflation. The French were so bent on revenge for the Franco-Prussian War that they could not see straight. In destroying German industrial capacity, the French destroyed the rest of Europe, making WW2 bloodier than it might have been under different leadership other than the Nazis.

      Make no mistake, Hans vok Seeckt had war plans for WW2 prep’d and ready to go once WW1 was ended and dust settled. WW2 was a given. Who was in charge and how it was “played” was not.

      Report this comment

      Elena2010  
  • The-Monk
    Posted on December 1, 2012 at 9:45pm

    Greece is to Germany as trolls are to The Blaze.

    Parasites…..

    Report this comment

    The-Monk  
    • Xyskalla
      Posted on December 2, 2012 at 1:28am

      Germany is to Greece what an enabling spouse is to an alcoholic.

      Report this comment

      Xyskalla  
    • gb123
      Posted on December 2, 2012 at 2:20am

      I remember hearing a Brazilian Economics Minister on TV when they had a huge debt and 900+ % Inflation.
      He basically said If I owe you 100 dollars I have a problem. If I owe you 100 million dollars you have a problem. Sounds a bit like Germany and Greece.

      Report this comment

      gb123  
    • CHROME_PLATED_HEART
      Posted on December 2, 2012 at 8:53am

      Ach du leiber, Monk. Azz ve shpeak, zey gaz upp ze Panzerz. Perzonally, I prefer ze Tigerz. One must get behind von to make ze kill shot. Ahh, mein Frient…for ze olt dayz. Vith ze new tankz, all zat iss gone..ze eckonimic blitzkreig beginz on ze Greekz zoon, Ya? Goot.

      Report this comment

      CHROME_PLATED_HEART  
  • Rafael_River-Rock
    Posted on December 1, 2012 at 9:32pm

    when the bubble pops your only hope is that it didn’t go too up

    Report this comment

    Rafael_River-Rock  
  • spfoam1
    Posted on December 1, 2012 at 9:23pm

    Germany has to get ready to defend itself, so they need to watch how much money they spend holding up the dregs of Europe.

    Report this comment

    spfoam1  
  • sbenard
    Posted on December 1, 2012 at 9:14pm

    Merkel is foolishly just spreading the risk among more nations in Europe. This is like a disease that is gradually infecting the entirety of Europe. Just last week, France, who until now was considered to be one of the strong nations in Europe, had its debt downgraded. Merkel doesn’t see that this debt is a black hole that is swallowing the entire continent. Greece can’t pay its current debt, and yet they continue extending still MORE loans! How can they be so blind? Greece can’t pay its current debt load, so they pile on MORE debt and just rewrite the terms? Unbelievable!

    The US is only 2-3 years behind Greece in its debt levels. One BIG difference: there is NO ONE big enough to bail us out! Except a GLOBAL government, of course! I think its name is The Beast! Yeah! THAT one! Our economy is growing at 2.7%, and our debt is growing at 7-8% per year!

    I recently met with Sen. Mike Lee. After reviewing the various alternatives of how to deal with our debt, he told us the most LIKELY outcome is a calamity! He suggested a Balanced Budget Amendment, but said it isn’t likely to pass. The Dems keep saying, “higher taxes”, but Sen. Lee points out that no tax of $1 trillion more per year could be raised without destroying the economy. Or we could just print money into oblivion and create a hyperinflationary depression. There are NO painless choices. After reviewing all of the above, Sen. Lee told us, in essence, that calamity is certainty, so plan and prepare accordingly!

    Report this comment

    sbenard  
    • jman-6
      Posted on December 1, 2012 at 10:39pm

      I agree with Sen. Lee on America, meaning they are going to keep the charade going until its go gets up and gets gone if you know what I mean. There is no way to pay off the $16 T debt we have now without cutting entitlements and we both know thats never gonna happen. As far as Germany goes I disagree with you as I believe Merkel knows exactly what she’s doing….enslaving Europe and everyone will be beholden to Germany and it will dominate the EU both politically and economically!

      Report this comment

      jman-6  
  • ginger100
    Posted on December 1, 2012 at 9:11pm

    Coming soon to a state near you

    Report this comment

    ginger100  
  • AbrahamsSheepdog
    Posted on December 1, 2012 at 9:11pm

    Someone tell me what the hell does Greece produce?

    Report this comment

    AbrahamsSheepdog  
    • stumpy68
      Posted on December 1, 2012 at 9:24pm

      fish?

      Report this comment

      stumpy68  
    • Psychosis
      Posted on December 1, 2012 at 9:37pm

      the nanny

      Report this comment

      Psychosis  
    • Shasta
      Posted on December 1, 2012 at 9:38pm

      Ouzo

      Report this comment

      Shasta  
    • dsind
      Posted on December 1, 2012 at 9:54pm

      Tourist’s

      Report this comment

      dsind  
    • rickroland
      Posted on December 1, 2012 at 10:04pm

      Pistachios.

      Report this comment

      rickroland  
    • phunkymunkey
      Posted on December 1, 2012 at 10:30pm

      duh! Greek Yogurt!

      Report this comment

      phunkymunkey  
    • Fubared
      Posted on December 1, 2012 at 10:40pm

      Spanikopita. Of course. And non virgin olive oil.

      Report this comment

      Fubared  
    • JungleTrump
      Posted on December 1, 2012 at 11:36pm

      I think Greece relies heavily on tourism. Which may or may not be down. What is truly plaguing them is their unions and pension entitlement programs. They have hit the threshold where entitlements are greater than revenues. By continuing to pump money in from other nations won’t help Greece change it’s addiction to entitlements. Moreover, this will weaken the euro and hasten the demise of all participating nations. I love Greece and it’s rich history. I pray they become independent and return to a functional nation.

      Report this comment

      JungleTrump  
    • Xyskalla
      Posted on December 2, 2012 at 1:29am

      Greeks?

      Report this comment

      Xyskalla  
    • DisposableWorker
      Posted on December 2, 2012 at 2:01am

      Bouzouki Music

      Report this comment

      DisposableWorker  
    • JACKTHETOAD
      Posted on December 2, 2012 at 3:55am

      George Stephanopolis. Giant fail there!

      Report this comment

      JACKTHETOAD  
    • JACKTHETOAD
      Posted on December 2, 2012 at 4:05am

      Speaking of propaganda, I saw a commercial here, and abc has buddied-up with yahoo to make a formidable brainwashing-machine. Both the stories and the posters are despicable for the most part. Stay away from there.

      Report this comment

      JACKTHETOAD  
    • crackerone
      Posted on December 2, 2012 at 9:05am

      They produce grease, silly! It will certainly help as Obama attacks us from the rear!

      Report this comment

      crackerone  
    • crackerone
      Posted on December 2, 2012 at 9:32am

      On second thought, B O has no plans for using grease, so I would be “long” gunpowder and bandaids and “short” Germany and Greece!

      Report this comment

      crackerone  
    • TheGreatMan
      Posted on December 2, 2012 at 9:40am

      hairy twats.

      Report this comment

      TheGreatMan  
    • MAX0O1
      Posted on December 2, 2012 at 7:58pm

      NAzi,s

      Report this comment

      MAX0O1  
  • wolfinshdo
    Posted on December 1, 2012 at 9:08pm

    Germany has no choice in this. If they didn’t agree to this B/S, the world would once again condemn them as elitist Nazi’s. Muslims and other malcontents would then start causing trouble in Germany itself.

    Report this comment

    wolfinshdo  
    • ginger100
      Posted on December 1, 2012 at 9:13pm

      Yeah, if they didn’t help, they would have been accused of being a bunch of old white racists

      Report this comment

      ginger100  
    • Elena2010
      Posted on December 1, 2012 at 10:40pm

      They DO have trouble w/the Turks they “invited” as guest workers after the war. The Turk neighborhoods are rundown and trashed out. Unfortunately, the Germans can’t get rid of them — like bathtub mold!

      The 9/11 plot has workings in Hamburg, Germany.

      So, yes, the Germans do have a muslim problem.

      If you follow the European news, Belgium surrendered Christmas to the muslims. It’s a tie as to which country, Denmark or Belgium, will become muslim first.

      The French city of Marseilles is overrun w/troublesome muslims, like Dearborn, Michigan.

      Malmo, Sweden — same problem. Londonistan — no go zones for ethnic Brits.

      Report this comment

      Elena2010  
  • Rayblue
    Posted on December 1, 2012 at 9:03pm

    This seems as good a place as any to tell a Christmas story. I don’t care if it’s out of place either. But I really don’t care about Germany or Greece in the long run anyway.
    Last night at about 11:00 pm was when this wonder occurred.
    My neighbor always has to outdo all the other neighbors in Christmasy yard ornamentation. He had (and I stress, HAD) a gigantic blown up Santa. It was about ten feet tall altogether. One of the guy wires had broken and Santa was biting the dust face first in the gutter. So here comes some idiot who thought it would be funny to drive over Santas head. What this moron didn’t figure on was the plastic got stuck on his muffler and tailpipe. As this nimrod was halfway down the block the plastic Santa he was dragging caught fire from the hot muffler. The last I saw of this genius was him turning the corner, spreading flames of Christmas cheer for for the wide eyed populace. Merry Christmas all.

    Report this comment

    Rayblue  
    • Gary_K
      Posted on December 1, 2012 at 9:07pm

      Lol…flobama voters are good for a laugh or two at times….LOL

      Report this comment

      Gary_K  
    • AbrahamsSheepdog
      Posted on December 1, 2012 at 9:17pm

      Santa’s not real? And massive yard waist & electricity bills. But china said sales are good. Guess more lies can coverup the whole thing. Kids need lies and toys. They demand them.

      Report this comment

      AbrahamsSheepdog  
    • Rayblue
      Posted on December 1, 2012 at 9:37pm

      Some of the yard ornamentation I’ve seen could induce epilepsy.
      Or it could be a Chinese plot to hypnotize unsuspecting prospects to buy more crappy Chinese junkware. I saw one thing that I for the life of me I can’t explain. It’s a pink pig bouncing Christmas presents off it’s ****. I mean, did I miss something about the holiday that involves this kind of scene ? There’s also an igloo that slowly opens at the top and a penguin pops out. My dog will sit and stare at it all night if I let her.

      Report this comment

      Rayblue  
    • JACKTHETOAD
      Posted on December 2, 2012 at 4:00am

      Inflatable lawn ornaments are the bane of modern Civilization. It makes me wanna run around at night naked during The Season with a large pointed stick. I fight those urges though. I know they’re not healthy.

      Report this comment

      JACKTHETOAD  
  • Gary_K
    Posted on December 1, 2012 at 9:00pm

    I am fed up with bathhouse barry flobama and his gang of communist thugs !

    Report this comment

    Gary_K  
  • Trail_Jumper
    Posted on December 1, 2012 at 8:45pm

    “I will continue to do what is best for Germany and Europe and what keeps the financial consequences as little as possible and does not expose us to unacceptable risks,” she said.

    That is a poor translation. What she really said was, “We are going to continue to kick the can down the road, knowing the inevitable consequences of our actions, and hopefully a rainbow fairy will come and make everything better soon. By the way, is my doomsday bunker ready yet, or are those union idiots still farting around on their fifteenth break today….”

    You see, it’s all in the translation.

    Report this comment

    Trail_Jumper  
  • The_Jerk
    Posted on December 1, 2012 at 8:42pm

    It’s all talk. We’ve heard it before. It’s theater.

    Report this comment

    The_Jerk  
    • Fubared
      Posted on December 1, 2012 at 10:45pm

      Like Paleostinians saying they want peace as they strap on a vest. Or play hide the rocket with Achmedoodiejob. Sure, you know bs better than anyone. Wiki says, jihad jerk knows bs. Fact is, you are bs. Belligerent bs. Hitler always said, if he needed a stool groom, call jihad jerk.

      Report this comment

      Fubared  
  • OldSurfRat
    Posted on December 1, 2012 at 8:40pm

    Oh boy here we go!!!

    Better watch you’re a$$ Greece the Germans are getting tiered of your lazy a$$es.
    I must admit I don’t blame them.
    From the look of old Angela she is going to grease your butts if you don’t stop being a bunch of unionize moochers

    Report this comment

    OldSurfRat  
    • rickc34
      Posted on December 1, 2012 at 8:45pm

      Let Greece go over their own cliff. Obama has spent us into a bottomless pit and he has only begun.

      Report this comment

      rickc34  
    • OldSurfRat
      Posted on December 1, 2012 at 8:48pm

      Some times you must go over the cliff to weed out the weak and we all know who they are.

      Report this comment

      OldSurfRat  

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