1) The head of France’s governing Socialist Party is appealing to other left-leaning parties in Europe to push for a deal to save Greece’s economy.
French Socialist leader Jean-Christophe Cambadelis in particular urged Germany’s Social Democrats, the junior partners in Chancellor Angela Merkel’s coalition government, to push toward a compromise deal. Cambadelis, who leads the management of President Francois Hollande’s Socialist Party, said in a statement that Europeans “do not understand the German over-reaction.” France has been the staunchest ally of Greece’s radical left government in recent months. It’s urging a deal on the grounds that it’s crucial for Greece but also for overall European unity and the Franco-German relationship that underpins it. Germany, by contrast, has taken a far tougher stance and is urging strict conditions on any Greek bailout deal that may emerge. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/the-latest-greece-bailout-talks-hinge-on-trust-issues/2015/07/12/a457292a-2874-11e5-960f-22c4ba982ed4_story.html ++++ 2) [...] Slovakia’s finance minister, Peter Kažimír, one of the most hawkish voices around the table, said he did not expect a deal on Sunday. But Jean Asselborn, the Luxembourg foreign minister [Luxembourg currently occupying the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union], said: “Grexit has to be prevented.” He told the Munich newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung: “It would be fateful for Germany’s reputation in the EU and the world. “Germany’s responsibility is great. It’s about not conjuring up the ghosts of the past. “If Germany goes for Grexit, it will trigger a deep conflict with France. That would be a catastrophe for Europe.” The mood in Brussels was grim, sombre, and ugly. The stakes could not be higher. The weight of history seemed to rest on the shoulders of Chancellor Angela Merkel. If the German leader supports her finance minister’s hard line later on Sunday, it may be that Greece cannot be saved. [...] full: http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/jul/12/eu-leaders-greece-summit-cancelled-eurozone-talks-grind-on +++ 3) FYI: Luxembourg Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2015 http://www.luxembourg.public.lu/en/le-grand-duche-se-presente/luxembourg-monde/luxembourg-europe/presidence-2015/index.html quote: "One of the Luxembourg Presidency's priorities is to put 'the citizen at the heart of the European project.' The Luxembourg Presidency will take particular care that the real, direct interest of citizens is better taken into account in all policies of the Union." _______________________________________________ pen-l mailing list [email protected] https://lists.csuchico.edu/mailman/listinfo/pen-l
