European finance chiefs spar over debt plan

BRUSSELS | European ministers fought Monday over the best way to combat the debt crisis that has crippled the eurozone over the past year, risking to fuel a flare-up in financial markets, where patience with political dithering was running thin.

The interest rates on Portuguese government bonds were near euro-era highs, heightening speculation that the country might soon have to follow Greece and Ireland in seeking international help to service its rising debts.

In those two countries, meanwhile, discontent over the harsh austerity measures imposed as part of their massive bailouts has been spreading from the streets to political decision makers.

Despite such ominous signs, the eurozone finance ministers in Brussels were still divided over how urgently they needed to decide on their next steps — and what those steps should be.

Luc Frieden, the finance minister of Luxembourg, said Portuguese yields have been rising, “probably because we are too slow in taking the relevant decisions.”

His German counterpart, Wolfgang Schaeuble, meanwhile, cautioned against rushing into new measures.

“At the moment, financial markets are so stable that it is probably better if we don’t disturb them with unnecessary discussions,” Mr. Schaeuble said as he arrived in Brussels.

Eurozone officials have promised to present a “comprehensive response” to the debt crisis by the end of March. At the center of this response will likely be an overhaul of the currency union’s $591 billion bailout fund, its main crisis tool.

The European Commission, the European Union’s executive, and some member states have been pushing governments to give the so-called European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) new powers — such as buying government bonds on the open market, stabilizing their prices — and increasing the facility’s funding so it can actually lend out the full $591 billion.

At the moment, it can only give about $336 billion in loans because of several capital buffers required to make the bonds it issues to raise money attractive to investors.

On top of that, the commission has suggested lowering the interest rates Greece and Ireland have to pay for their bailouts.

However, Germany, the biggest contributor to the European Stability Facility, has said it will only back new powers and money for the EFSF if, in return, the region’s stragglers commit to making their economies more competitive.

That demand, backed by France, has created discord among eurozone governments, with some complaining that the demanded measures distract from plans to enhance economic governance in the currency union already tabled by the commission.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.