BERLIN (MNI) – Germany’s Free Democrats, the junior partner in
Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government coalition, on Tuesday signaled
support for an increase of the European firewall against the debt
crisis.
Merkel suggested on Monday that Germany is prepared to allow the
E200 billion in funds already committed by the European temporary
bailout fund, the EFSF, to run in parallel with the E500 billion of the
planned permanent rescue fund, the ESM.
FDP parliamentary leader Rainer Bruederle said on Tuesday “it makes
sense” to consider letting the two funds operate side by side. Finance
Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble, a member of Merkel’s Christian Democrats,
is to brief the FDP parliamentary group on the possible firewall
increase later today.
The German finance ministry said Friday that it expects the
Eurogroup to reach an agreement on the size of Europe’s bailout funds at
its meeting this week in Copenhagen. “We’re quite optimistic that we’ll
find a solution which is acceptable for everyone,” ministry spokesman
Martin Kotthaus said.
–Berlin bureau: +49-30-22 62 05 80; email: twidder@marketnews.com
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