tagged: austerity measures, bailout, bob traa, employees, forbids, George Papaconstantinou, Greece, greek government, IMF, IMF/EU, persona non grata, Poul Thomsen, press conference, press release, privatization 50 bn, reaction, Troika

Greek FinMin bans Greece’s lenders from holding Press Conferences

Posted by keeptalkinggreece in Economy

 This is a heroic day for the Greek Nation, a day that feels with national pride everyone in this debt-ridden country : from the baby hanging at mommy’s breast up to the pensioner standing long queue at the country’s biggest social security foundation for an appointment with just one doctor. Greek Finance Minister said “Verboten” to IMF, EU and ECB , banning the good ol’ fellas, the technocrats representing Greece’ international lenders, from giving  Press Conferences while on Greek soil - especially when these press conferences stir up so much the public opinion and the opposition -. 

Specifically about the ”Greek soil” I am not that sure, but Mr. Papaconstantinou said it very clearly in front of  Greek lawmakers at the Parliament. The practice of holding a press conference wont’ happen again, he said.

“This process won’t happen again. Had this Press Conference not happened, the government would have the opportunity to consult and explain what it means to have a target of 50 billion euro. How to do it and to what purpose. We were depriven from this option.”

Further George Papaconstantinou criticized the attitude of the representatives of the troika, saying that this time “they surpassed and exceeded their role as they unilaterally announced issues that are related only to the Greek government.”

“All of us were bothered by their style and the content of what they said, that has nothing to do with the reality. But they acknowledged that this should not have happened,  they acknowledged the efforts made by the Greek people and that the decisions belong to the elected government of this country”.

However he expressed his clear support in favor of  utilizing the state’s property, saying that “the debt would exceed 150% before it starts de-scaling and that everything, helping to reduce it, is  necessary.”

He didn’t elaborate on where these EUR 50 billion will come from. He also didnot elaborate as to whether the Troika-guys are allowed to give interviews to Greek media or they should meet the Press in Brussels….

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