2010-04-05

Germany can profit from a Greek bailout

So says Reiner Eichenberger, Professor of Finance at the University of Friborg; and David Stadelmann, Senior Assistant at the Department of Economics.
Wir retten die Griechen und verdienen Milliarden!
We save the Greeks and make billions!

Eichenberger and Stadelmann propose that the Germans can finance Greece and collect the premium between the interest rates, either the full 3%, or split it with the Greeks by offering them 4.9% financing.

They draw a parallel with the 19th Century, when a Bavarian ascended the throne of Greece.
Drittens wäre eine derartige Intervention nicht einzigartig in der Geschichte der beiden Länder: Im 19. Jahrhundert füllte Otto Friedrich Ludwig von Wittelsbach, Sohn von König Ludwig I. von Bayern, das Machtvakuum, welches in Griechenland nach der Ermordung Ioannis Kapodistrias entstand. Das schon damals hochverschuldete Griechenland wurde finanziell durch eine Anleihe, die beim Regierungsantritt von König Otto von Griechenland aufgelegt wurde, zahlungsfähig gehalten (Griechenland: Geschichte eines Staatsbankrotts).

Also there is an interview with Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble
"Wir sind normal. Das ist auch nicht recht"
Here's the Google Translate version of parts:
TIME: Is the German leadership really agree that we need more Europe?

Schäuble: Not always. But in a democracy is not harmful. We do not want pluralism. , I believe we must continue on this European path wisely and decisively. So you have to declare that the nation approaches tend to relapse is false. The fact that Angela Merkel as massive advocating the contract, does not mean that they want less Europe, but only that they have a more efficient, an effective Europe wants.

TIME: Do we need a federal Europe?

Schäuble: Yes. Europe will not become a state, as is currently the Federal Republic of Germany. This model indeed goes from the nation's sovereignty. The federal system in Europe is to some extent be an aliud. I think that's in the European integration in the core belief that the nation state alone is not the most appropriate framework for our lives. And I am convinced that we will succeed in politics, give a federal Europe.
Germany remains committed to European integration, it just wants it to be more efficient. And here's some comments on the IMF.

TIME: How much more than Germany would have, it should come with the support of the IMF for a bailout for Greece?

Schäuble: That is a question that a finance minister wisely does not answer, because we assume that this case does not occur. The contribution of the IMF is certainly limited.

TIME: If the IMF has remained entirely outside funding - just as you did originally - would the EU countries must share information about our ten billion euros. In Germany would thus account for an additional 2.5 billion. Conversely, this means that include the IMF, Germany has saved a little money, but many countries are very angry against us. Was it worth it?

Schäuble: Actually, a currency area would have to solve its problems itself. Therefore, the IMF should be the exception. In the German population - not to mention it is so obscene - is widespread opinion that a solution involving the IMF is more acceptable than without it. The IMF is perceived as an institution, which has demonstrated that they can work towards the rehabilitation of a crisis. It puts a confidence-building element. To that extent, the argument is already weighty.


Update: Calculated Risk also covers the interest rate story and has a link to a story which says the Germans want the Greeks to pay the 6% rate.
Greece Emergency Loan: Disagreement on Interest Rate

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