Merkel spokesman says referendum result 'clarifies' Greek position

Gazzetta team 6 Ιουλίου 2015 - 15:34

The Greeks' overwhelming rejection of austerity measures clarifies the Greek position but this does not necessarily make it stronger, German government spokesman Steffen Seibert said on Monday, commenting on the result of the Greek referendum.

"The Chancellor sees in the result of the referendum the clarification of the Greek position, that 60 pct of Greeks are aligned behind the Greek government's negative stance," Seibert said. "I cannot and do not want to evaluate whether [Greek Prime Minister Alexis] Tsipras emerges stronger or weaker from the referendum. He personally considers himself - that is how I interpret his speeches - as clearly strengthened. On the German side, with the citizens' vote, the Greek position has been further clarified. The issue was never austerity policies but reform policies," he said.

Asked whether it was possible to achieve an agreement with Greece within 48 hours, Seibert said that an agreement based on the ESM would need to be approved by national Parliaments and would be difficult to achieve.

"The door for talks always remains open," he said.