Ten years after the most dramatic summer of the Greek economic crisis, the Angela Merkel He returned to the Greek public sphere. On the occasion of the publication of her book “Freedom” in Greek, she spoke to Stavros Niarchos Foundation with Alexis Papachelain a sincere debate full of historical documents, backstage and moments of political anxiety.
Greece in 2015 and Merkel’s personal testimony
Her former Chancellor Germany It unfolded the most decisive moments of the European debt crisis. He remembered the pictures with the Greeks in the ATM tails and said he was impressed by their durability. As he said, “I would not apologize to the average Greek”, noting that he was struggling hard to prevent Greece’s exit scenario from the eurozone.
Schoeble, “Grexit” and perseverance for a common European solution
Honestly, the Angela Merkel He revealed that he was calling Volfgang Schoible every hour in an attempt to persuade him. The then German finance minister promoted Greece’s exit from the euro, but the Chancellor maintained her faith in a European solution. “I couldn’t imagine the EU. Without Greece, “he said.
The Referendum Call Call and 17-hour negotiation
The moment when the Alexis Tsiprasf She announced to Merkel the decision on a referendum was, he said, the “most unexpected phone call” of her career. After the “no” of the referendum, a 17 -hour exhausting negotiation followed. Merkel described the process in detail, stating that “I did not want Greece to leave the euro and he did not want a memorandum.”
Relations with Papandreou, Samarra and the ‘bad’ Chancellor policy
Angela Merkel also referred to the other prime ministers of the crisis. For George Papandreou, he remembered his silence during critical consultations, saying that “I was looking like the evil that could not give money”. Antonis Samaras had a relationship of political confidence, despite the differences. In fact, they agreed on the need for debt “haircut”, something that the European Central Bank eventually blocked.
First Contact with Tsipras: The protesters, the international and the common course
Their first meeting in Brussels did not leave a strong impression, but when Tsipras visited Berlin, instead of going straight to the Chancellor, he first spoke with protesters and sang “International”. “I was waiting for him with my advisers and photographers,” Merkel said, recognizing that they both had a willingness to find a common place, despite their ideological distances.
Refugee management and agreement with Turkey
In a different chapter of the debate, Merkel referred to the refugee crisis of 2015 and defended the agreement with Turkey, despite criticism. He said that “the situation in Greece was dramatic” and working with Recep Tayyip Erdogan was necessary. He admitted that the famous refugee selfie did not accept the acceptance she was expecting from public opinion.
Merkel for Putin, Trump and world balances
The former Chancellor also talked about Vladimir Putin, recalling incidents that show personal and political tension. “He welcomed me with a giant lustian dog doll, knowing my phobia,” he revealed, describing the Russian president who “does not accept the rule of Ukraine and Belarus.” To Donald Trump, he said: “He wants to make a deal and draw attention. He didn’t even give me the hand in the oval office. “
Europe, Defense and Debt: The former Chancellor’s warning
Strategy issues were raised in the discussion. Merkel defended Europe’s defense spending and stressed the need for unity and the social state. But he warned of the risk of uncontrolled debt creation, noting that “politics needs realism”.