Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed solidarity and friendship with Greece during her Tuesday visit in Athens with Prime Minister Antonis Samaras. On the streets outside, however, protests revealed the strain Greek society is under. The chancellor's visit will do little to improve the situation.
She actually did bring along a gift in the end, a gift basket wrapped carefully in cellophane with a fat, gold ribbon. Chancellor Angela Merkel, likely the most hated politician in Greece, presented the offering to Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras while standing in front of a couch in his office. Both were smiling, even beaming, and grabbed each others' elbows in a half embrace. There was also a card, which they both read together with smiles on their faces.