Germany wants Spain to stall bailout bid

Spain is ready to request a eurozone bailout for its public finances as early as next weekend but Germany has signalled that it should hold off, European officials said yesterday.

The news comes as financial markets and some other European partners are pressuring Madrid to seek a rescue programme that would trigger ECB buying of its bonds.

“The Spanish were a bit hesitant but now they are ready to request aid,” a senior European source said.