If Greece goes…

Introduction

By Peter Spiegel, Chris Giles and Kerin Hope

May 30 2012

The idea of a Greek exit from the eurozone is no longer fanciful. After a majority of voters in May 6 elections supported parties that rejected the terms of Athens’ €174bn bailout, Greece’s future membership of the currency union – once a topic whispered only in hushed tones in the corridors of European power – became an open question. Cast into doubt was not only whether the birthplace of democracy could remain at the centre of Europe, but the very survival of the single currency. As Greece headed towards fresh elections on June 17, senior EU officials conducted a conscious campaign to convince Greek voters that this time, their vote was not about the bailout programme but ...