The Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras appeared determined to carry on the negotiations until the end of the month and clash with the more radical elements within his party, in order to secure an “honorable agreement”, in his meetings with Stavros Theodorakis, Fofi Gennimata and Dora Bakoyanni.
According to sources close to the River and PASOK leaders, Mr. Tsipras stressed that he is not in a rush to come to an agreement with the creditors and, if need be, will not make the IMF loan payments due at the end of the month. In the discussion with Mr. Theodorakis, the PM appears confident that while the creditors seem to harden their stance towards Greece, they will ultimately cave in to avoid a Grexit. Mrs. Gennimata also noted that while the PM will upon a hard line, he is not after a rupture.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister reportedly clarified that he will not accept an agreement that does not include any provisions for the restructuring of the country’s public debt, as well as securing financing. The newly-elected PASOK leader explained that the Prime Minister has prioritized the debt restructure.
Finally, should the creditors present an agreement that the Prime Minister Tsipras believes is an honorable compromise, but more radical elements within SYRIZA (such as the Left Platform) reject it, he will not hesitate to enter a clash with them. Mr. Tsipras reportedly stated that “nobody is more left that I am”.
