European leaders prepare for Greek election that may determine fate of the euro

The leaders agreed on Friday night to take “necessary action” to
secure global economic stability.

It came as former Prime Minister Gordon Brown issued a stark warning that the
G20 meeting in Los Cabos conference is the “last chance” to sort
out the eurozone crisis and claimed it was reaching a “day of reckoning”.

The Mexico meeting will see leaders attempt to forge a united stance rather
than agree any detailed decisions.

Yet there were already signs of tensions between Germany and France, the
eurozones most powerful countries, after Mrs Merkel criticised France’s
economic performance.

Her comments were a swipe at the President Hollande who has called for more
emphasis on economic growth and less on budget austerity.

There was also mounting speculation that central banks, including the Bank of
England, Bank of Japan and US Federal Reserve, are preparing to launch
emergency support measures to cushion the blow of an implosion in the
eurozone following the elections in Greece.

Uncertainty surrounding the vote has left stock markets on edge. Success for
anti-austerity parties, such as radical left-wingers Syriza, could lead to
Greece leaving the euro, which would likely send stock markets into
freefall.

The country’s exit from the euro could lead to contagion across the eurozone
and beyond as the impact of a collapsed banking system and debt default in
Greece spreads.

Speaking about the discussions between the European leaders on Friday night, a
spokesman for Downing Street said: “The EU’s priorities for the
upcoming meeting include ensuring effective co-ordination at the global
level for strong, sustainable and balanced growth and the implementation of
the G20 commitments on financial market reform.

“Leaders agreed the need for countries to continue to take the necessary
action to secure global economic stability and to support growth.

“These issues will be the focus of discussions at the G20 meeting, which
immediately follows the Greek elections, and at the next European Council on
28-29 June.”

Mr Cameron, Mrs Merkel, President Hollande, Mr Monti, Spanish PM Mariano
Rajoy, European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso and European
Council president Herman van Rompuy all took part in the video conference on
Friday night.

Mr Barroso earlier said the euro currency and the “European project”
are both irreversible. EU leaders would “stay the course” in the
midst of the crisis, he insisted.

But in an article for the Reuters news agency, Mr Brown claimed the prospect
of a “chaotic” Greek eurozone exit is becoming more likely
regardless of the outcome of crucial re-run elections in the country on
Sunday.

France and Italy will follow Spain in needing a bailout as the eurozone crisis
deepens, the former prime minister warned.

The International Monetary Fund has issued its latest assessment on Spain’s
economy, stating the outlook is “very difficult” and the
Government is likely to miss its deficit reduction target.

Mr Brown also claimed even German banks may need extra capital.

“Whichever way the Greeks vote in Sunday’s election, a chaotic exit from
the euro is becoming more likely: Its tax revenues are collapsing, not
rising as promised,” he wrote.

“Unable to regain access to markets, Portugal and Ireland will soon have
to ask for their second IMF programs.

“Sadly Italy – and potentially even France – may soon follow Spain in
needing finance as the European recession deepens. Even German banks, which
are some of the most highly leveraged, are not immune from needing more
capital.”

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