Merkel reiterated her opposition to a debt reduction … – Le Monde

The key

• Greek banks must reopen Monday. Meanwhile, the VAT will be increased on certain products.
• Angela Merkel reaffirms its opposition to a reduction “classic” of the Greek debt.
• Dominique Strauss-Khan denounces “diktat” from the creditors of Greece.
• François Hollande calls for “Government the euro area. “

While Greek banks are preparing to reopen Monday, Merkel reiterated Sunday, July 19 on television its opposition to a reduction “classic” of the Greek debt, ruling that the practice could take place do “in the monetary union” . German Chancellor is shown rather more open to potential new breaks for Athens, during this interview with German public broadcaster ARD.

“Greece has already obtained relief. There was a reduction (…) of the debt of private creditors on time (repayments) were lengthened and interest rates were lowered. (…) If the examination of the program to be negotiated is successful, then we can again (them) mentioned. “

This week, just days after the agreement reached in Brussels forceps between Athens and its creditors, many voices were raised to demand Hellenic debt reduction, categorically ruled out by Berlin

Read our synthesis. What Greece accepted in return for financial aid

Christine Lagarde’s criticism and Dominique Strauss-Khan

On Friday, the IMF Managing Director, Christine Lagarde, said that this debt relief was essential to the viability of a new EU aid. And yesterday, the President of the European Central Bank (ECB) Mario Draghi had judged “indisputable” the need to reduce weight, which weighs about 180% of Greek GDP.

The former head of the IMF Dominique Strauss-Khan, meanwhile, strongly criticized the behavior of creditors of Greece in an article published Saturday on the Internet. In this text, entitled “ For my German friends ” DSK called the agreement a “ diktat ” and accused creditors of wanting to “ seize the opportunity an ideological victory over an extreme left government at the cost of fragmentation of the Union “

Read also:.” To my German friends ” DSK text that denounces the conditions of the agreement with Greece

Francois Hollande for a “government of the euro area”

Francois Hollande, on him, was again praised Sunday’s agreement in an article published by the weekly The Sunday Journal . “ The eurozone has managed this week to reaffirm its cohesion with Greece. The quality of the Franco-German relationship has been there for many. The European spirit prevailed “writes Holland. In this text, the French president calls for “ Government of the euro area ”

“I proposed to resume the idea of ​​Jacques Delors the Government of the area euro and to add a specific budget and a Parliament to ensure democratic control. “

Read also: Netherlands argues for a” government of the euro area “

If the leaders of the eurozone reached a compromise to keep Greece in monetary union, the coming weeks are marked with crucial deadlines. And that starts on Monday. Besides the reopening of banks, an increase in VAT will come into force on certain products. Athens must also repay 3.5 billion euros of bonds to the ECB, which should now be a formality with the emergency loan of 7 billion euros granted by the leaders of the euro area.

Read also: The next major events in the Greek case