Survey finds 57% of Germans oppose Greek aid

Fifty-seven per cent of Germans think giving aid to Greece would be a "bad decision," a survey published yesterday showed, underlining the level of public opposition in Europe's main paymaster.

Only 33 per cent are in favour, the poll by Dimap commissioned by Germany's Die Welt daily and French television news channel France 24 showed. The survey of 1,009 people was carried out in mid-April.

After months of fighting to finance its national debt, Greece formally applied on Friday for a bailout from its eurozone partners and the International Monetary Fund worth up to €45 billion.

But German Chancellor Angela Merkel, with a key state election to fight on May 9 and public opposition to a bailout strong, has insisted that Athens first demonstrate how it plans to get its public finances in order. As Europe's biggest economy, Germany would be the biggest contributor to any aid, providing around €8.4 billion in a €30 billion package from the eurozone.