Germany will support Portugal no matter which decision it makes over the way it intends to exit its bailout programme, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Tuesday (March 18).
“It is a decision for the Portuguese government,” Merkel said, speaking to journalists in Berlin alongside Portuguese Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho.
The Chancellor appeared confident in Portugal as the country approaches the end of its financial adjustment programme (in May).
“I completely understand it when the (Portuguese) Prime Minister says he will make the decision when it needs to be made, and Germany will support any decision. We have stood by Portugal and we will continue to do so,” said Merkel.
She added that she was “confident Portugal’s opposition was committed to the European Union fiscal rules despite differences on some individual questions” and promised that Germany is willing to help Portugal through its difficult times in any way it can.
