President Barack Obama, beset by a faltering economic recovery five months before he seeks re-election, said on Friday European leaders must act urgently to resolve the region's financial crisis and stem the threat of recession.
Obama said decisions about how to solve the euro zone crisis were fundamentally in the hands of Europe's leaders and their political commitment would be a "strong step." He was speaking a week after a dismal U.S. jobs report heightened concerns about the impact of Europe's crisis on U.S. growth.
"They understand the seriousness of the situation and the urgent need to act," Obama told a news conference.
"What we can do is to prod, advise, suggest, but ultimately they're going to have to make these decisions," he added, noting that U.S. solutions to the 2008-09 economic and financial crisis should inspire Europe.
Obama spoke as despair deepened in Spain, which is expected to ask for euro zone aid on Saturday to recapitalize its banks. It would be the fourth country to seek assistance since Europe's debt crisis began. Elections in Greece on June 17, meanwhile, could decide whether Athens will stay in the euro zone.
The president's hastily scheduled remarks also capped a bad week for him and Democrats. They lost badly in a Wisconsin gubernatorial recall vote and financial reports showed that Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney raised more campaign money than Obama in May.
Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/09/us-usa-whitehouse-obama-idUSBRE8570PV20120609
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