Merkel: Greek government is the sole responsible for the padlock in ERT
Fully informed about the developments in Athens, is the German Chancellor, said government spokesman Steffen Seibert, noting that there has not been any direct information from the Greek Prime Minister. When asked if there was any telephone communication between Ms Merkel and the Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, the issue of ERT contacting Ms Merkel Samaras, the answer of the spokesman of the German Chancellor was "not the last days".
The German Chancellor considers that the decision to ERT is the sole responsibility of the Greek government.
"Of course this act is associated with the framework agreed to job cuts in the public sector, but this measure was not discussed with the German government and the Troika, but taken by the Greek government," explained Mr Seibert.
At the same time, concern about the developments in Athens is being expressed by the SPD Chancellor candidate Peer Steinbrück, who, when asked whether he considers that the closure of the public broadcasting service in Greece
constitutes a threat to democracy, answered 'yes'.
At a press conference for foreign correspondents in Berlin, theopponent of Chancellor Merkel in the German elections next September reported
the impressions of his visit to Athens on Feb. 6. As he said, he found
high-level responsibility for the tripartite government and warned that if the country was to be led to new elections, things will be very difficult for Greece.