(Newser)
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Europe is readying a to-do list in case Greece tries to leave the euro—like limiting the size of Greek ATM withdrawals, ending visa-free EU travel, and clamping down on eurozone capital. Finance officials say they don't expect Greece to bail, but anything is possible with the radical-left SYRIZA coalition poised to fare well in June 17 Greek elections. "It is sensible planning, that is all, planning for the worst-case scenario," a source tells Reuters.
Polls show that up to 80% of Greeks want to keep the euro, but SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras says he hopes to stop or seriously renegotiate Greece's $130 billion bailout with the IMF and the European Union. Both groups, however, say renegotiation is not on the table. Belgian Finance Minister Steve Vanackere puts it this way: "We must insist on efforts to avoid an exit scenario but that doesn't mean we are not preparing for eventualities."
