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Because they sold bonds to investors which came due and they did not have enough money to pay them because of a weakening economy as a result of the 2008-2009 financial crisis. This led them to get bailout loans from other nations that put them further in debt. They have received 2 big bailouts already and now need a 3rd very soon to avoid default on more loans coming due. Forced austerity measures as conditions placed on further bailouts will cause their economy to contract and reduce their ability to ever get out of debt. They are in a downward spiral so to speak with no real hope of getting out of it. This is why their bond prices have plummeted and their interest rates have shot up. Their bonds have been reduced to non-investment grade status so they cannot even sell more bonds to raise money to pay off the ones coming due. The European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) will decide soon what do in the next bailout. A recent proposal (not yet finalized) as part of the bailout is for the EFSF to partially insure Greek Bonds against default to encourage investors to buy them again. The final plan is to be announced October 26, 2011.

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13y ago

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