Now that the Greek electorate has voted for a change of government, the German government hopes that the new government will be formed swiftly. This is the only way to tackle the work ahead without delay, said federal government spokesperson Steffen Seibert.
1 min reading time
"We will be waiting to see the outcome of the process of forming the new government and its first clear declarations on Greece’s future reform path and on how the country will meet the terms of the agreements it has entered into," said government spokesperson Steffen Seibert in Berlin. The German government will extend to the future government an offer of cooperation.
Steffen Seibert pointed out that Greece has made enormous efforts and achieved remarkable success with its reforms over the last few years. Now it is important for the new government to take steps to ensure continued economic recovery. This includes ensuring that Greece honours its commitments and that the new government builds on the successful reforms of its predecessor, said Steffen Seibert.
Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed herself in a similar vein before the election. At a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi last Friday in Florence, she said that the German government would engage with the new government and discuss the path ahead. She also praised the efforts Greece has already made.
Angela Merkel recalled the fundaments of the agreements with Greece: solidarity of the eurozone member states with Greece on the one hand and Greece’s own efforts on the other. "This duality, these two sides of one and the same coin will also determine the path in future. I am certain that we will find solutions calmly," said Angela Merkel.