Call to Merkel on eurozone bonds

In an article in the Financial Times on the 15 December 2010, leading German SPD politicians Frank-Walter Steinmeier (a former Foreign Minister and leader of the SPD in the lower house of Germany’s parliament) and Peer Steinbrück (a former Finance Minister) call for Germany to take the lead in pressing for closer eurozone economic and political integration to underpin the euro.

The three-point plan from the two most senior Social Democrats in Ms Merkel’s former grand coalition came as a direct challenge to the German Chancellor, after her refusal to consider the introduction of jointly guaranteed eurobonds, and her caution in pursuing more radical solutions to the crisis.

Germany: Foreign Office: Press Release, 14.12.10: 'Protect the EU and the euro' http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/EN/Europa/Aktuell/101214-RfAA-node.html

ESO: Background information: E-bonds would end the crisis / Europe’s leaders at odds over bond plan http://www.europeansources.info/record/e-bonds-would-end-the-crisis-europes-leaders-at-odds-over-bond-plan/

ESO: Background information: Bond plan could end the euro crisis http://www.europeansources.info/record/bond-plan-could-end-the-euro-crisis/

Deutsche Welle, 14.12.10: Eurobond proposals won't go away http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,6324273,00.html

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