Dutch Finance Minister Jan Kees de Jager Thursday confirmed it may be an option to delay payment of a new bailout package to Greece until after the April elections, as confidence in the country΄s political leaders has reached a low point.
According to Dow Jones Newswires, in comments made in an interview with daily Het Financieele Dagblad, which were confirmed by his spokeswoman, De Jager said Greece is still behind in implementing measures that are required for the country to receive a next bailout of EUR130 billion.
“Confidence indeed has reached a low point,” he was quoted as saying.
“Ideally, you would want to deal with leaders of whom you know they will also support the package after the elections… But if this isn΄t the case, we have to find another way to secure that commitment,” De Jager said.
De Jager said “it has been suggested” to wait until after the elections “because then you can agree that commitment with a new government.”
De Jager also said that Greece could follow the same route as Italy, where a technocratic government is in charge of implementing budget cuts and reforms. “This could also be imaginable, but this is all speculation. In this option, you shouldn΄t have elections in the short term. This is now above the market.”
De Jager also said that a Greek default is still undesirable but that the risks attached to such an event have decreased significantly. (Capital.gr)
Nice detail is that IF the Eurogroup will agree on Monday Germany, Finland and The Netherlands will make a proviso. Because their parliaments will have to decide on that deal. At least, according to Mr. De Jager.
what is a proviso?
That’s not a rhetorical question again, isn’t it??? 😯
OK, I take my chances: Proviso is A condition attached to an agreement…
no, that was a real question, thanks
“But Greek politics has been changed by the negotiations. New Democracy has held on to 27.5pc but support for its obvious coalition partner Pasok, has plunged from 48pc to 11pc, according to the latest poll. Open Europe reckons the three hard-left parties control around 42.5pc of the vote. The think tank said: “The other parties will never provide a written commitment to austerity while even if New Democracy manages to lead the next coalition government, Samaras will likely try to renegotiate at some point.”
And the troika know this. This time, promises and parliamentary votes aren’t enough; Greece’s paymasters want action too.”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/9087335/Amid-the-chaos-Greece-faces-a-Herculean-task.html
…
24 “prior actions”
“A €130bn bail-out of Greece will contain unprecented controls on Athens’ ability to spend aid, officials said, as European leaders scrambled on Thursday to paper over their division… If the deal is finalised by Monday, it will still include a list of 24 “prior actions” that Greece must complete by the end of the month, before aid is released.”
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/next-steps-greece