Greek Politics
Eurogroup agrees return of mission to Athens but key issues unresolved
Monday’s Eurogroup culminated in an agreement for the institutions to return to Athens in the coming days, which was probably the most positive development that could have been expected at the start of the day but also leaves a lot of ground to be covered in the coming weeks.
Progress rather than breakthrough the target at Eurogroup
Expectations are relatively low for Monday’s Eurogroup, with the most that can be expected being an initial agreement between Greece and the institutions on the basic elements needed in order for the review to be completed.
Athens and lenders left with gap to bridge ahead of Eurogroup
There was a distinctly domestic flavour to the exchange between Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Parliament on Friday, perhaps reflecting the limbo in which negotiations between the government and its lenders currently find themselves.
Athens in search of counter-measures to secure MPs' support for potential deal
A trade-off between the fiscal measures being demanded by the institutions and steps aimed at lightening the burden on taxpayers appear to be the main focus of the Greek government at the moment.
Greece hopes promising fiscal, economic data will help its cause in review talks
The visit of Economic Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici to Athens on Wednesday appeared to provide the Greek government with some comfort about the possibility of an agreement being reached between Greece and its lenders.
Athens waits for Moscovici visit, eyes debt relief and lower volume of measures
There was no official response from Athens on Monday to the proposal made by the institutions to the Greek government and it now seems there will be no movement on the issue until European Economic Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici has visited the Greek capital on Wednesday.
Lenders' proposal not yet enough to convince Athens, banish snap poll option
Athens did not hide over the weekend its disappointment with the proposal made by the institutions on Friday but still appears focussed on trying to get a deal it considers politically viable.
Lenders make proposal to Athens but no immediate breakthrough expected
Greece and its lenders moved a step closer towards overcoming the impasse in the second review on Friday but it seems unlikely that an agreement will be reached by the Eurogroup on February 20.
Lenders to put onus on Tsipras with offer to wrap up review
It appears that Greece’s lenders are set to make an attempt to break the deadlock in the bailout review before a cycle of elections in a series of eurozone member states, starting with the Netherlands in March, begins.
Lack of clarity across the board highlights review impasse
There appeared little chance of any progress in the talks between Greece and its lenders on Thursday as it emerged that Alternate Finance Minister Giorgos Houliarakis would not be attending the Eurogroup Working Group (EWG).