Two-thirds of Germans oppose cutting debt states any slack

Nearly two-thirds of Germans oppose giving heavily indebted countries in the eurozone more time to meet reform commitments, according to a poll published yesterday that highlights the domestic political constraints facing chancellor Angela Merkel.

Ahead of elections in 2013, Ms Merkel is resisting foreign pressure to cut eurozone stragglers such as Greece more slack as it tries to enact German-inspired austerity measures in a recession. She says fiscal discipline iscrucial for recovery.

The ZDF-Politbarometer survey also showed 63% of Germans backed Ms Merkel’s handling of the euro crisis, up from 60% in May, though a majority also thought she should explain her policies better, echoing criticism from Germany’s President Joachim Gauck, a ceremonial, non-partisan figure.