alexis tsipras

Germany is using its size and wealth to compel its Eurozone partners to take a hard line toward Greece, but in the end, Germany has much to lose by forcing the Aegean nation to choose between more austerity and dumping the euro.

Baltimore's Greek community is watching closely as Greece grapples with complex and controversial decisions that could lead it to drop the euro.

By electing Syriza leader Alexis Tsipras to be premier, Greeks voted last week to end the draconian economic measures imposed by Germany and other international lenders. After the dust settles, German Chancellor Angela Merkel will either backpedal on the austerity imposed on Athens or accept Greece's exit from the euro.