Merkel faces rebellion as German lawmakers debate Greek bailout

German lawmakers broke off their holidays on Tuesday to debate Greece’s third bailout plan before approving it, though Chancellor Angela Merkel faces a rebellion in a vote shaping up as her last chance to keep Athens in the euro zone. Up to a quarter of Merkel’s conservatives could vote against the €86-billion ($95 billion) package, sending the government a clear warning not to return to parliament again to ask for more aid. Support from parties including the Social Democrats (SPD), Merkel’s junior coalition partner, and the opposition Greens means approval is not in doubt.

The Greek government has worked very constructively, and has made a 180 degree change.

SPD budget expert Carsten Schneider

But a significant minority of Merkel’s conservatives - her Christian Democrats (CDU) and their Bavarian Christian Social Union (CSU) sister party - oppose the plan. Last month, a record 65 lawmakers from the conservative camp broke ranks and refused to back negotiations on the bailout. Last month, a record 65 lawmakers from the conservative camp broke ranks and refused to back negotiations on the bailout. The daily Bild even estimated that up to 120 CDU and CSU members out of 311 might refuse to back the now-agreed deal. The debate has been given added spice this time after Volker Kauder, head of the conservatives’ bloc in parliament, incensed fellow lawmakers earlier this month with threats of retaliation if they rebelled and voted against a bailout.

A temporary Grexit remains the right solution.

Christian von Stetten, a member of Merkel’s CDU