Germany’s top court to examine Greek bailout

EUObserver reported that the Federal Constitutional Court of Germany (Bundesverfassungsgericht) began hearing on the 5 July 2011 arguments in three cases challenging Germany's role in the Greek bailout and the euro-area rescue fund in 2010.

Deutsche Welle reported that a group of German eurosceptic academics led by Joachim Starbatty filed the case in 2010.. The group argued that creating rescue funds violates the European Union's 'no-bailout clause', which says neither the EU nor member states should take on governments' liabilities.

Germany’s highest court was due to give its verdict on the legality of Berlin's contribution to both Greece's first bailout and the eurozone rescue fund on the 7 September 2011.

• Primary Source

Germany: Federal Constitutional Court http://www.bundesverfassungsgericht.de/en/index.html

Deutsche Welle, 5.7.11: Euroskeptics take on German government over debt bailout http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,15210520,00.html

Spiegel Online International, 4.7.11: Legal Challenge to Greece Aid: 'Greeks Would Be Well Advised to Exit the Euro Zone' http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,772443,00.html

BBC News, 5.7.11: German court considers challenge to EU bail-outs http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14027420

ESO: Background information: The Greek debt crisis of 2010 http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-greek-debt-crisis-key-sources/

ESO: Background information: Eurozone makes €30bn Greek promise http://www.europeansources.info/record/eurozone-makes-e30bn-greek-promise/

ESO: Background information: Constitutional complaints: German rejection of rescue packages unlikely http://www.europeansources.info/record/constitutional-complaints-german-rejection-of-rescue-packages-unlikely/

Spiegel Online International, 6.7.11: German Court Likely to Rule 'Yes, But' On Euro Bailout http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,772674,00.html

EUObserver, 6.9.11: Germany's top court to decide on Greek bailout http://euobserver.com/19/113526

EurActiv, 5.9.11: Van Rompuy takes lead in eurozone crisis stunt http://www.euractiv.com/euro-finance/van-rompuy-takes-lead-euro-zone-crisis-stunt-news-507262

Spiegel Online International, 5.9.11: Court to Give Bundestag Bigger Say in Bailouts http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,784442,00.html

EurActiv, 6.9.11: German court seen approving EU bailouts, with conditions http://www.euractiv.com/euro-finance/german-court-seen-approving-eu-b-news-507294

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