11.   Talk of slackening the strict financial criteria adds to their angst.

12.   The cost-cutting bills are also aimed at ensuring Germany will be able to meet financial criteria for the planned European currency union.

13.   The German central bank said Wednesday it would be willing to issue its opinion about whether European countries are meeting financial criteria for their planned currency union.

14.   A storm broke out earlier this week after German Finance Minister Theo Waigel ruled Italy out of participation in the single currency for not meeting the necessary financial criteria.