May 16, 2012
Senior European leaders are attempting to turn Greece’s repeat national election next month into a referendum on the country’s membership of the euro, a high-stakes political gamble that officials believe can win back voters disillusioned by the tough bailout conditions but eager to stay in the single currency.
José Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission, made the choice clear on Wednesday, telling Greek voters the €174bn rescue programme would not be changed and that remaining in the eurozone was now in their hands.
“We want Greece to remain part of our family, of the European Union, and of the euro,” Mr Barroso said at a hastily convened news conference. “This being said, the ultimate resolve to stay in the euro area must come from Greece itself.”
The stark message echoed points made by Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, and François Hollande, the new French president, after their first meeting in Berlin on Tuesday night. Both leaders said Greece’s election next month would be a referendum on euro membership.
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