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Merkel acknowledges Germans’ frustration on Greece

By Juergen Baetz
Published December 1, 2012 2:31pm ET
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Merkel acknowledges Germans’ frustration on Greece
FILE - In this Nov. 30, 3012 file picture German Chancellor Angela Merkel casts her vote at the German federal parliament, Bundestag, in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Nov. 30, 2012. The German Parliament has given its overwhelming backing to a deal aimed at trimming Greece's debt load and keeping the country financially afloat. Lawmakers voted 473-100 on Friday to back the complex deal reached by European finance ministers earlier this week. Germany's chancellor says in an interview published saturday Dec. 1, 2012 she understands the frustration felt by many Germans over the repeated bailout programs for Greece. But Angela Merkel also insists that helping debt-ridden Greece is in her country's self-interest because it helps stabilize the 17-nation eurozone on which Germany's prosperity depends. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn, File) | Michael Sohn

BERLIN (AP) — Chancellor Angela Merkel said she understands the frustration felt by many Germans over the repeated bailout programs for debt-ridden Greece, but insisted they are in her country’s self-interest because they help stabilize the eurozone as a whole.

Merkel’s comments came a day after Germany’s parliament voted in favor of granting Greece more lenient terms on its bailout program, clearing a necessary hurdle for disbursing a €44 billion ($57 billion) rescue loan payment in December.

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