Markel to prevent throwing money on Greek rescue path

BERLIN: Germany's parliament will almost certainly endorse a Greek bailout on Monday despite growing pressure on Chancellor Angela Merkel to meet domestic calls to stop throwing money down "this crazy path".

The world's 20 leading economies, the G20, piled pressure on Germany at the weekend to drop its opposition to a bigger European bailout fund, telling Europe it must put up extra money if it wanted more help from other countries.

But Merkel, leader of Europe's paymaster, first faces a difficult vote in parliament, which may force her to rely on opposition votes to approve the 130-billion-euro ($175 billion) rescue programme for Greece, it’s second since 2010.

"Billions for Greece Stop!", Germany's top-selling newspaper Bild splashed across its front page.

"Don't go any further along this crazy path," the newspaper appealed, printing comments by leading economists as to why a default and temporary exit from the euro zone would be the better option for Greece.

Copyright Reuters, 2012