Politics of Germany

Chancellor Angela Merkel says shes hoping for a good future for Greece in the eurozone as Germany pushes Athens to comply fully with the terms of its financial bailout.

German lawmakers began debating an extension of Greece?s bailout, with the measure expected to pass as Chancellor Angela Merkel?s coalition musters its overwhelming majority in parliament.

The German Federation of Journalists (DJV) on Thursday condemned Bild newspaper for running a campaign calling its readers to take a picture of themselves next to a front page reading: ?No more billions for the greedy Greeks.?

By Andreas Rinke

German lawmakers signalled that they will approve an extension of Greece's bailout with an overwhelming majority in parliament on Friday although many will do so reluctantly amid fears Athens will not deliver on its reform promises.

By Rainer Buergin and Arne Delfs

Chancellor Angela Merkel faces increased dissent as her governing coalition prepares to extend Greece's bailout, backing her policy of keeping the euro area intact.

Germany's Wolfgang Schaeuble told a meeting of conservatives lawmakers on Thursday that recent remarks by the Greek finance minister had strained European solidarity and that a bailout extension for Athens could be ditched if the country failed to stick to its promises, according to participants.

Angela Merkel?s conservative allies in Bavaria agreed to support an extension of the Greek bailout in a parliamentary vote expected on Friday, but kept up their tough rhetoric in insisting on precise details from Athens on planned reforms.

In a joined press conference between the German Chancellor and and the Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven Wednesday, Angela Merkel stated that security in Europe needs to be built in alignment with Russia.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday welcomed as a "starting point" reform pledges made by Greece in return for a four-month extension to its bailout program.

"This is good news considering what was being said only weeks ago," Merkel said, adding however that "much work lies ahead" in talks between Athens and its international creditors.

Chancellor Angela Merkel and Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble are rallying reluctant German lawmakers to approve an extension of Greece's bailout despite Schaeuble's avowed doubts about the credibility of Athens' latest reform plans.