Greece was forced to accept 'recessionary' bailout deal - Tsipras
The deal with creditors was “not of
our choice,” Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has said, adding that Greece
faced the dilemma between a difficult compromise and disorderly default.
Speaking to the Syriza committee in Athens Thursday, Tsipras tried to
defend Greece’s €86 billion bailout deal with the international
creditors, saying that Grexit was not a choice. It would have forced
Athens into devaluation and going back to the IMF for support, he added.
defend Greece’s €86 billion bailout deal with the international
creditors, saying that Grexit was not a choice. It would have forced
Athens into devaluation and going back to the IMF for support, he added.
“If someone believes another government could have brought back a
better deal they should say so,” Kathimerini newspaper quoted Tsipras as
saying.
better deal they should say so,” Kathimerini newspaper quoted Tsipras as
saying.
The PM added that Syriza’s efforts had managed to stir up the EU.
“We created the first cracks in Europe's neoliberal hegemony. We have
to give a definitive answer on whether a leftist government can exist in
a liberal, conservative Europe,” Tsipras said.
to give a definitive answer on whether a leftist government can exist in
a liberal, conservative Europe,” Tsipras said.
This month, Tsipras reached an agreement with the troika of creditors
on a €86 billion 3-year financial aid deal. The offer demands further
austerity including tax hikes and raising the retirement age.
on a €86 billion 3-year financial aid deal. The offer demands further
austerity including tax hikes and raising the retirement age.
Many members of Syriza, including former finance minister Yanis
Varoufakis, openly consider Alexis Tsipras’ policy contradictory to the
results of the July 5 referendum, in which 61 percent voted against
austerity. The lack of unanimity in the Greek parliament may put an end
to the coalition and thus lead to new elections.
Varoufakis, openly consider Alexis Tsipras’ policy contradictory to the
results of the July 5 referendum, in which 61 percent voted against
austerity. The lack of unanimity in the Greek parliament may put an end
to the coalition and thus lead to new elections.
The Greek parliament has already adopted two packages of changes,
which allowed Athens to kick off negotiations with creditors on
unlocking the bailout.
which allowed Athens to kick off negotiations with creditors on
unlocking the bailout.
Greece intends to finish the talks by August 20, when a €3.2 billion bond repayment to the ECB is due.
"There is a viewpoint the blackmail (by creditors) was not real, and
there should not be an agreement. This view cannot wait until the
extraordinary congress,” Tsipras said, suggesting a ballot on the issue
on Sunday.
there should not be an agreement. This view cannot wait until the
extraordinary congress,” Tsipras said, suggesting a ballot on the issue
on Sunday.
