German Government's plan to return to the Deutschmark and print new currency

1.12.2011

Question for written answer E-011671/2011
to the Council
Rule 117
Mara Bizzotto (EFD)

Rumours have recently been circulating in the European and international press that the German Government might be planning to leave the euro and reintroduce the Deutschmark.

The existence of this plan was revealed a few weeks ago by Philippa Malmgren, President of Principalis Asset Management and former economic adviser to President George W. Bush and Deutsche Bank.

According to Dr Malmgren, the German Government is apparently not confining itself to merely studying a plan to reintroduce the Deutschmark as legal tender, but has already begun to implement it and has asked a German company operating in Switzerland to begin printing new Deutschmarks.

In recent weeks, these rumours have become increasingly insistent and widespread in the press, which has even cited sources from within the government and intelligence agencies.

Is the Council aware of any plan by the German Government to return to the Deutschmark (DM) and, in particular, to start printing DM again?

If not, will it shed light on the matter and call for explanations of this news that has been circulating?

Has Germany informed the Council of anything relating to this?

What is the Council's view on the possibility of Germany exiting the euro?

OJ C 285 E, 21/09/2012