EUROPE

Germany: No Bailout Negotiation

While Greek cabinet backs referendum in vote.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Wednesday that there will be no more negotiation on the Greek rescue plan—and she will make clear to Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou that the plan must be passed “without ambiguity.” Papandreou is set to meet with Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy in France on Wednesday ahead of the G20 economic summit, where the euro-zone debt crisis is expected to be a central topic. Earlier Wednesday, the Greek cabinet agreed to back Papandreou’s controversial plan to hold a referendum vote on the rescue plan, keeping Papandreou in power—at least for now, since six members of his own party have called for him to resign. Greece will not receive its bailout loans until after the Mediterranean country holds a referendum to decide whether it will remain in the euro zone.