April 20, 2018
Economy
Despite deep cuts having been made in state spending in Greece, the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) managing director Christine Lagarde has claimed that it wasn’t on account of the Fund. Speaking to reporters on Thursday in Washington DC, where she is taking part in meetings between the IMF and Washington …
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January 22, 2018
Economy
A draft report prepared by the European Commission on Greece’s compliance with the bailout agreement requirements and the sustainability of the Greek debt, suggests that Greece would have to implement some austerity measures originally scheduled for 2020 a year earlier. This would happen if creditors see that the primary surplus …
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October 12, 2017
Economy
The International Monetary Fund insists on additional austerity measures and reiterates that the primary surplus of 3.5 percent of GDP cannot be achieved. In its Greek report published on Thursday, the IMF projects a primary surplus of 2.2% of GDP in 2018. IF the IMF’s forecast is not revised, Greece …
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June 28, 2017
Greece, Politics
Greek Ministry of Public Order decided to forbid a planned meeting by the police union at Exarchia Square. Citing reasons of “public safety” the ministry put an end to the controversial meeting scheduled to take place tomorrow Thursday in the Athens district which considered as “anarchists’ castle.” With its decision, …
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May 15, 2017
Editor
“Greece’s latest cuts extend austerity to decade mark,” Associated Press wrote this morning with reference to the new austerity package bringing measures worth 4.9 billion euros for 2018-2021. Just a decade? The country is been restructured and rescued, while parts of the society cannot afford a descent living. The upcoming …
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May 15, 2017
Economy
The omnibus bill and midterm plan for 2018-2021 has been submitted to the Greek Parliament. The relevant parliamentary committees are to examine 941 pages containing measures for fiscal targets and so-called reforms, the mid-term fiscal strategy framework and other provisions, before the plenary will vote it on Thursday, May 18 …
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May 9, 2017
Greece, Politics
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras made it clear: the additional austerity measures for 2019-2020 will not be implemented if there is no measures for debt relief. Then, without debt relief the IMF will not participate in the Greek program. “It is not a figure of speech, we will implement the …
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May 8, 2017
Greece, Politics
The additional austerity measures for 2019-2020 the Greek government agreed upon with the country’s creditors will be brought to Parliament on May 15 for debate. A vote by the Plenary will take place on May 18 2017, just four days before the crucial Eurogroup meeting on May 22. Parliament President …
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May 5, 2017
Greece, Politics
“Creditors are not our friends, they stand opposed to us, they just want to get their money back,” Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras told the parliamentary group of SYRIZA on Friday just days before the lawmakers of the ruling party will be called to vote in favor of 3.6-billion euro …
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April 26, 2017
Social, Society
As if we did not have enough financial burdens, Greek Public Power Company increases charges on electricity bills and demands the payment of additional 735 million euros by millions of electricity consumers. “It is a small, temporary contribution,” Greek PPC said in a statement responding to the outcry. Greeks know …
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April 10, 2017
Greece, Politics
Three former ministers and ten more members of the Central Committee of ruling left-wing SYRIZA asked for early elections before ratifying the additional austerity measures agreed with creditors in Malta. “The only one who can decide about the own life are the Greek people,” said the dissidents. They submitted a …
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April 8, 2017
Economy
Greek finance minister Euclid Tsakalotos said it clearly on Friday during his press conference after the Eurogroup meeting “The measures will be unpleasant for the Greek people.” the additional austerity measures the Greek government agreed with creditors is a 1%+1% formula for the years 2019 and 2020, a total package …
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February 6, 2017
Economy
‘Greek public debt is highly unsustainable, the International Monetary Fund said in a report to be discussed during a board council meeting in Washington later today. The report, exclusively presented by Athens News Agency, said that the Greek economy faced four challenges. The country’s public debt was highly unsustainable the …
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February 4, 2017
Economy
Is the Greek government preparing to capitulate to creditors’ demands for additional austerity measures that have to be legislated now or risk to miss the closure or the second review? The government reportedly tries to come to an agreement with creditors and close the second review thus proposing an alternative: …
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January 25, 2017
Politics
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras promised that “Greece will not enact a single euro extra revenue raising measures.” Moreover he said that he was “ready for elections” although early elections would be pointless at this time. Tsipras promise comes as the SYRIZA-INTERDEPENDENT GREEKS prepares to celebrate two years in power, while …
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December 2, 2016
Economy
The International Monetary Fund remains firm as firm as the German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble who has the upper hand when it comes to agreements about Greece. And for the time being it looks as if the IMF, and the European creditors, ESM incl., prepare a s0-called ‘compromise” solution on …
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September 21, 2016
Politics
An important decision for the protection of human rights in times of bailouts and austerity. For the first time, the European Court of Justice explicitly stated that the European institutions and in particular the European Commission are bound by the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and are obliged to protect …
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September 20, 2016
Economy
Freelancers will be obliged to pay double social security contributions reaching even up to 50% of their income. As of 1. January 2017, freelancers who are also in also in employment contract will have to pay two times social security contributions. Once for their work as employees and once for …
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September 12, 2016
Economy
Summer is over. Not because the schools started today. But because the lenders’ representatives are flocking to Athens in order to audit the progress of the austerity measures. The Greek program Review is expected to commence in October and end up with success so that the €2.8billion bailout tranche will …
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March 31, 2016
Economy
Almost half of employee’s wages goes for taxes and contributions, while the upcoming tax and social security hikes will lead to further losses. According to daily TA NEA the new austerity measures currently on the negotiations table between Greek government and the lenders will end into swallowing 6 out of …
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