Germany expects IMF participation in Greek bailout - finance minister spokeswoman

The shredded flags of Greece and the EU flutter on a windy and cloudy autumn day at Magana beach in north-eastern Greece September 9, 2016. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis

BERLIN (Reuters) - The German government is still expecting the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to be involved in Greece's bailout programme, a spokeswoman for the Finance Ministry said on Wednesday. Germany's Bild newspaper had earlier reported that Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble was preparing for a continuation of aid for Greece without IMF participation. "For us this involvement is promised and essential," the spokeswoman said. (Reporting by Gernot Heller; Writing by Michelle Martin; Editing by Joseph Nasr)