German dissent over Greek deal

German chancellor Angela Merkel faces increased dissent within her governing coalition over extending Greece’s bailout as part of her goal of keeping the eurozone intact.

While senior lawmakers say almost all of Merkel’s Christian Democratic bloc will back the four-month reprieve for Greece in a lower-house vote today, 22 of the 311 caucus members opposed the measure in a straw poll yesterday, nine more than voted against Greece’s second bailout in 2012.

Goading them on was Alternative for Germany, the anti-euro party that has won seats in four German state parliaments since August and is seeking to boost its national standing on the back of dissatisfaction with euro-area bailouts. Party co-leader Bernd Lucke urged Christian Democratic lawmakers to shun party discipline and vote their conscience.