The Minister of Finances Gikas Hardouvelis expressed his belief that the Greek public debt issue would be resolved prior to the Presidential election in early 2015, in an appearance on Yannis Pretenteris’ Anatropi talk show.
Mr. Hardouvelis also acknowledged that “our relationship with our creditors will last for many more years to come, but on a different basis” and stressed that the debt is sustainable.
He also argued that a 2.9% growth rate in 2015 is possible and that SYRIZA would have to accept a deal on the debt, because it will be the best possible solution. The Finance Minister conceded that reforms in the market could have preceded the reforms that have been carried out in employment relations.
Later in the show Mr. Hardouvelis reported that “there will be an adjustment period until we finally exit the bailout, like Portugal” and clarified that this period could be “perhaps 6 months, perhaps a year”. Meanwhile, he noted that the troika would return to Athens “any day now, I hope”.
Regarding a number of provocative comments made by New Democracy spokesman Adonis Georgiadis, the Minister stated that he would not withdraw his accounts irrespective of who is in power. Mr. Hardouvelis also noted that the recent stress tests certified the good condition of the Greek banking system.
