国际英语新闻：Merkel seeks quick approval of euro aid package after election setback

Some analysts and CDU officials believed that Merkel's unpopular aid to Greece provoked anger and dissatisfaction among the voters. Two days ahead of the key election, the German parliament approved a 22.4-billion-euro bailout bill for Athens, which was proposed by Merkel's government.

Before the election, Merkel was sharply criticized at home and abroad, firstly for her reluctance on giving swift aid to debt- laden Greece, then for pushing through a multi-billion bill regardless of domestic opposition.

The newly-released EU rescue package would again make Merkel come under fire, especially when the Greek fiscal troubles got no better sign and other eurozone members, such as Portugal and Spain, are facing soaring debt, some analysts said.

Under this rescue package, which was hammered out on Monday after a 14-hour overnight meeting of European financial chiefs, eurozone governments agreed to offer 440 billion euros in loans or guarantees, with 60 billion euros more from the EU's budget.

The IMF pledged 250 billion euros for crisis-hit eurozone countries and the European Central Bank said it would buy government and private debt.

Merkel said she would have a cabinet meeting on Tuesday to approve Germany's contribution and would submit a bill to the parliament as soon as possible. It was not known currently whether the bill would get a fast-track discussion in parliament.