For the first time, German chancellor Angela Merkel has yesterday publically spoken out in favour of  the FTT in the Euro-zone, if an implementation in the EU 27 should not be possible. By now, only finance minister Schäuble had spoken about the Euro-zone option.

After the French president Sarkozy had considered to implement as a frontrunner the FTT unilaterally in France, Merkel declared that she, "personally," will commit to strive for the FTT in the Euro zone.

Reason for the formula "personally" is the fact, that the liberal party, FDP, which is part of the governmental coalition, had by now only agreed to an FTT for the EU-27 (knowing that this would be impossible due to the British resistance).