Merkel’s Crown Tarnished as Critics Accuse Her of Coup in Greece
European Leaders And Finance Ministers Attend Emergency Greek Summit
Phoographer: Jasper Juinen/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
The euro-area deal with Greece was variously denounced as blackmail, an attack on national sovereignty and an end to the European dream. The accord’s detractors could at least agree on one thing: the chief culprit was Angela Merkel.
Having held sway in the unequal struggle with Alexis Tsipras over the terms of a third bailout, Merkel has ensured that the 19-nation euro zone remains a club whose members abide by the rules or are shown the door. The question is what toll that stance has taken on her reputation and the extent of the damage to the international standing of Germany and Europe.