European talks on Greek debt collapse

Greece will default in March if a deal with EU isn't reached
(Image credit: Milos Bicanski/Getty Images)

Expectations for Monday's meeting of Eurozone finance ministers were pretty low, and those expectations were met when the talks ended suddenly and among mutual finger-pointing. Germany and the other European nations wanted Greece to extend its existing bailout package — which ends at the end of the month — for six more months, but that was unacceptable to the new Greek government of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.

If no deal is reached, the Greek government will probably be unable to make a debt payment at the end of March, threatening default or even expulsion from the euro currency. New talks could be held as soon as Friday.

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Peter Weber

Peter Weber is a senior editor at TheWeek.com, and has handled the editorial night shift since the website launched in 2008. A graduate of Northwestern University, Peter has worked at Facts on File and The New York Times Magazine. He speaks Spanish and Italian and plays bass and rhythm cello in an Austin rock band. Follow him on Twitter.