Germany Caves To International Pressure on Greece

Revelation 6:5,6 NCV When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come!" I looked, and there before me was a black horse, and its rider held a pair of scales in his hand. Then I heard something that sounded like a voice coming from the middle of the four living creatures. The voice said, "A quart of wheat for a day's pay, and three quarts of barley for a day's pay, and do not damage the olive oil and wine!"

German officials have reportedly given in to the demands of other European nations and banking institutions in regard to money owed them by Greece in what could be a significant step toward ending the Greek debt crisis standoff.

The European Council had been calling the loudest for Germany to make steps toward working with Greece after Chancellor Angela Merkel and other officials took a hard line stance over Greece’s unwillingness to accept austerity measures.

“The realistic proposal from Greece will have to be matched by an equally realistic proposal on debt sustainability from the creditors,” said Donald Tusk, the European Council president.

Greece submitted a new reform proposal to the EU just two hours before a midnight deadline Thursday.  The plan contains many items that Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras had rejected and urged the nation’s voters to reject in a recent referendum.

The new proposal includes tax increases, reform to pensions and spending cuts.

“The package takes a very substantial step in the right direction, and it should move us closer to a deal,” said Mujtaba Rahman, the Europe director for the Eurasia Group, told the New York Times.  “The question now is whether the Greeks are actually going to implement some of the measures over the course of the weekend by putting them before their Parliament as German officials seems to be demanding.”

German Chancellor Merkel stated later in the day Thursday that she still opposes any debt reduction for Greece as part of the deal.

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