The European Union's executive body is rejecting calls from Germany to establish a eurozone budget commissioner who would directly control tax and spending decisions in debt-ridden Greece.

According to The Associated Press, the European Commission said Saturday, Jan 28, that "executive tasks must remain the full responsibility of the Greek government, which is accountable before its citizens and its institutions."

The Commission, the European Central Bank, and the International Monetary Fund already have unprecedented powers over Greek spending, after negotiating with Athens stringent austerity measures and economic reforms in return for a first, multi-billion euro bailout.

They are reviewing implementation of these measures and discussing a second bailout.