Die Welt: A new conflict in 2016 between Greece and lenders is inevitable

German government, though, will no longer be able to put the same pressure on Greece as it did last year

Among the challenges that German Chancellor Angela Merkel will have to face in 2016 is the Greek crisis issue, according to Die Welt.

“In 2016 Greece and its lenders will inevitable have to face a new conflict” the article says. “The evaluation of the Greek program will be completed in April or at the latest by the end of the first half. And a lot depends on that evaluation: If lenders consider that Greece has fulfilled its obligations, then the IMF will participate in the third aid package” Die Welt notes.

“The consent of the parliamentary group of the German conservatives depends on the participation of the IMF in order to disburse the next installments. Under these conditions, Angela Merkel will be in a difficult position. On one hand, more members of Merkel’s parliamentary group might be against her policy, if Greece postpones reforms. On the other hand, German government will no longer be able to put the same pressure on Greece as it did last year” since “Berlin needs Athens” to safeguard EU borders, as the article mentions.