The Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and government Vice President Evangelos Venizelos [pictured] agreed that there is no rush to complete the troika review, after meeting on Tuesday afternoon. The two leaders also argued that they will not back down from the “red lines” they have drawn, in relation to critical prerequisites which the troika has posed.
Mr. Venizelos told the Prime Minister that while Greece’s partners and creditors recognize the “impressive” financial developments and results, they are deeply concerned by the political and social developments. This was an indirect reference to the main opposition party’s stance on the upcoming Presidential elections, which the coalition government VP noted was “sterile, counter-productive and making negotiations difficult”.
The ultimate goal is to secure a beneficial deal that is associated with the final troika review and the deal for a precautionary credit line. At the same time, they do not want to assist SYRIZA by coming to an agreement “prematurely”. Mr. Venizelos claimed that “we will not ask [the Greek] for more sacrifices, there will be no more austerity measures”.
The two leaders also agreed to support the Minister of Finances Gikas Hardouvelis, who was present at the meeting and who has been criticized by both the opposition parties as well as government officers, particularly from New Democracy.
