German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Friday she wanted Greece to “remain part of our story,” ahead of elections this weekend which could sweep the anti-austerity SYRIZA party to power and determine whether the country stays in the eurozone.
“At the heart of our principles lies solidarity. I want Greece, despite the difficulties, to remain part of our story,” Ms Merkel said during a press conference in Florence with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.
Mr Renzi, 40, said he was «not worried about the results of the Greek election. I respect the citizens’ choice and from next week the 27 (EU) partners will work with” whoever wins “with great willingness.”
The election – the second in three years – comes with Greece still locked in talks with its EU-IMF creditors for a 7.2-billion-euro (S$11 billion) tranche of bailout loans the state needs to stay afloat.