Economics

Merkel Makes Big Sell for Euro as ‘Best Guarantee’ for Peace

  • German leader makes pitch at ‘citizens’ dialogue’ in Portugal
  • Merkel travels to southern EU nation ravaged by euro crisis

Angela Merkel

Photographer: Krisztian Bocsi/Bloomberg
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Angela Merkel made a broad plea to hold the euro area together, calling the common currency Europe’s “best guarantee” to preserve the peace it’s held since World War II.

As Italy’s political crisis rattles global markets and throws open for the second time in a decade the question of whether the 19-member currency can survive, the German chancellor used a “citizens’ dialogue” Wednesday in Portugal to make a fundamental case for the euro.