BERLIN (MNI) – Germany’s largest opposition party, the center-left
SPD, on Thursday called for swift parliamentary hearings on possible
financial aid for Greece, arguing that an activation of the aid measures
by Greece is expected by mid-May.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s CDU/CSU-FDP coalition government
is dependent on the opposition parties if it wants to get an eventual
aid bill quickly through parliament.
“The SPD parliamentary group demands an extensive [parliamentary]
hearing on the loans for Greece in the coming weeks,” Axel Schaefer, the
SPD’s parliamentary speaker for European affairs, said in a statement.
The aid proposals for Greece are legally and politically disputed, the
lawmaker said.
“Speed is of the essence because an application by Greece for aid
via loans is expected for mid-May,” Schaefer stressed. All open
questions needed to be answered by the government by then, he demanded.
The SPD wants to have a joint hearing on Greek aid in the
parliamentary committees for budget, fiscal and European affairs, he
said.
Eurozone members have said they will provide up to E30 billion in
bilateral loans for Greece this year in a joint program with the IMF.
Germany’s share would amount to up to E8.4 billion. The exact IMF
contribution isn’t yet known.
German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said on Wednesday that
most experts estimated the likely IMF contribution at between E10
billion and E15 billion.
–Berlin bureau: +49-30-22 62 05 80; email: twidder@marketnews.com
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