Alexis Tsipras heads to Berlin, but his first official visit to the capital comes amid growing tensions between Greece and Germany.
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is heading to Berlin for his first official visit to German capital.
In light of the standoff between Athens and its euro zone creditors, the trip has been portrayed across some media outlets as a Western-style showdown.
Supporters of German Chancellor Angela Merkel have been openly sceptical about Greece’s new government, with many believing Athens is not taking its 240-billion-euro bailout deal seriously.
A meeting between the countries’ foreign ministers on Sunday (March 22) may have added to the tension, with Greece expected to have once more insisted on reparations dating back to the Nazi occupation of the country during the Second World War.
Berlin says it is conscious of Germany’s historical responsibility, but is reluctant to link it to euro zone policy.