Schauble lauds Samaras

Speaking to the press, the German finance minister, indirectly but clearly hinted that he was aware of the Greek prime minister's decision to bring forward the presidential elections. Mr Schaeuble said that it was a good decision, while he also praised the progress made in recent years in Greece on the management of public finances.

Mr. Schaeuble also praised Mr. Samaras, whom he described as a decisive figure, which contributed most to the recovery of the Greek economy.

Michael Fuchs of the Union of Christian Democrats (CDU), also said in an interview with Bloomberg news agency on the sidelines of the party conference in Cologne, that the Prime Minister of Greece Antonis Samaras "knows that we need to restore a climate of political purity.”

Referring to the acceleration of the presidential elections Mr. Fuchs appreciated that this is "a calculated risk which Samaras took, which is actually a smart move."