Most Germans want Greece to exit euro

The majority of Germans feel the euro currency bloc would be better off without debt- crippled Greece, according to a poll published in mass-selling newspaper Bild am Sonntag on Sunday.

According to the Emnid poll, 53 per cent of Germans surveyed thought Greece should return to its former currency, the drachma, with only 34 per cent saying it should keep the euro.

Euro zone ministers had hoped they would meet this Monday to finalise the second Greek bailout, which would be in place in mid-March to prevent a massive default, but the meeting had to be postponed due to the reluctance in Athens to commit to reforms.

Without the austerity measures, which include cutting holiday bonuses and reducing the minimum wage in a country experiencing its fifth year of recession, the ministers say they could not approve the €130 billion rescue plan.

The Emnid poll said 80 per cent of Germans surveyed were opposed to the rescue package unless Greece implemented reforms.