The new Minister of Finances Gikas Hardouvelis congratulated his predecessor Yannis Stournaras for his efforts during the press conference for the “change of guard” and argued that “the economy is being stabilized, we are not where we were two years ago”.
Mr. Hardouvelis claimed that growth will finally come “in the next months” and argued that “we must do what we want, not only what the troika says”. The new Minister added that Greece cannot be a consumer country, it must also be a producer.
Additionally, Mr. Hardouvelis vowed “not to change the philosophy” and to continue with the established policy at the Ministry of Finances. Mr. Hardouvelis asked from the banks to contribute decisively in the recovery of the private sector of the economy.
The outgoing Minister Stournaras thanked the Prime Minister and his consultants and lamented that the Ministry was a home to him. Mr. Stournaras added that the two challenges that must be tackled are the debt sustainability and kickstarting the economy.
