The Bundestag has been called back specially from holiday for this all-important session.
Merkel told MPs that Greece was ready to work with its European creditors and had demonstrated its commitment by passing reforms through parliament.
“The question is – on the basis of what I told you – can I ask the Bundestag to give the government a mandate for negotiations about (financial assistance under) the European Stability Mechanism programme for Greece? Do I see the requirements for it? My answer with full confidence is yes,” Merkel said.
She told MPs that allowing Greece to leave the eurozone would have spelt the end of European solidarity.
Failure to help Greece would be irresponsible and to risk chaos, she added.
Thanks to support from Merkel’s coalition partners, the Bundestag is expected to approve talks over a third Greek bailout of 86 billion euros – this despite opposition from conservatives within her own party and the German public at large.
Many say German taxpayers have contributed enough and don’t trust the Greek government.
The hardline finance minister Wolfgang Schaueble has questioned whether Greece should get a third bailout, doubting whether Greek debt can be restructured.
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