Merkel absolves herself of blame during crisis

German chancellor Angela Merkel has absolved herself of blame for the eurozone’s north-south split during the debt crisis, saying she has Europe’s best interests at heart when pressing the need to become globally competitive.

Merkel, responding to audience questions in a live television broadcast yesterday, said it wasn’t enough for Europe to dwell on past glories such as the Renaissance.

Countries can only progress if they modernise and stay innovative, and not by means of debt sharing, Merkel said.