German minister: Greek euro exit has lost 'horror'

[July 23, 2012]  BERLIN (AP) -- Germany's vice chancellor is questioning whether Greece can fulfill the conditions to receive further international aid and says the idea of it leaving the euro has "lost its horror."

Philipp Roesler, who is also economy minister, leads the Free Democratic Party, the junior partner in Chancellor Angela Merkel's coalition. It often talks tough on Europe's debt crisis.

Roesler's comments come as Greece's debt inspectors examine whether Athens has implemented enough reforms and budget cuts to merit more help.

Roesler told ARD television Sunday he is "more than skeptical" and that, if Greece doesn't fulfill the conditions, "there can be no further payments to Greece."

He added: "I think that for many experts, for the FDP, for me too, a Greek exit from the eurozone has long since lost its horror."

[Associated Press]

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