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Majority of Germans in favor of "Grexit": poll

Xinhua, March 13, 2015 Adjust font size:

More than half of German people would favor Greece to leave the euro zone, showed a poll published on Friday.

When asked whether should Greece remain in the euro zone, 52 percent of Germans replied "No," according to the poll conducted by the Mannheim Research Group, while 40 percent said "Yes."

In a similar survey made in February, only 41 percent of respondents were in favor of the "Grexit," while 52 percent said they wanted Greece to stay.

According to Friday's survey, 80 percent of Germans think the Greek government doesn't show its reliability when dealing with its euro zone partners, and only 14 percent believe that Greece would implement the reform measures it pledged.

Regarding the consequence of a bankruptcy of Greek government, 32 percent of respondents think it would cause a strong damage to the German economy, 47 percent believe the damage would not be so strong, while 11 percent think there would be no damage at all.

The results came as tensions intensify between Berlin and Athens. Earlier this week, Greek government asked Germany again to make reparations for Nazi crimes during the second world war. The request, which was rejected by German government, was seen as a retaliation for Germany's strong stance on austerity demands against Greece.

On Thursday, German Interior Minister Thomas De Maiziere demanded Greece to explain a threat made by its Defense Minister Panos Kammenos to send refugees, even terrorists, to Berlin.

Greece is in negotiations with its euro zone members over its debt arrangement. The euro group has agreed to extend current bailout program for Greece to the end of June. German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble, however, warned that Greece would not receive a single euro unless it implements its structural reforms. Endit