MacroPolis

Athens, creditors on way to settling energy, labour issues in third review

Electronic auctions are due to begin on Wednesday, with the Greek government hoping that the process runs smoothly and that an agreement with the institutions can be secured by the end of the week.

Energy at forefront as Athens prepares for creditors’ return

Athens has reached a comprehensive agreement on energy issues, which was one of the biggest obstacles in the way of a staff-level agreement (SLA) being secured by December 4.

Sub-tranche released but PPC poses key challenge in review

The European Stability Mechanism (ESM) disbursed the 800-million-euro sub-tranche from the Greek programme on Monday as Athens focusses on completing dozens of prior actions in the hope of concluding the third review before the end of the year.

Athens and lenders stay mum on agreement, domestic reaction awaited

The Greek government and the European Commission declined to confirm reports on Wednesday that Athens and its lenders have reached an understanding that will lead to a staff-level agreement in the coming days.

PPC: The struggling electricity giant dominating bailout talks

By: Manos Giakoumis

One of the biggest stumbling blocks in the way of t the Greek government and the institutions to clinch a staff-level agreement (SLA) is the liberalisation of the energy market, with lenders requesting the sale of 40 percent of the Public Power Corporation (PPC) units.

Concerns over energy deregulation add to challenges Tsipras faces

There is a growing feeling in Athens that the government is gradually moving closer to the institutions and the two sides are genuinely trying to reach a technical agreement by April 7, when eurozone finance minister are due to meet in Malta.

OECD outlines five priorities for Greek reform agenda in 2017

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development published on Friday its annual edition of Going for Growth report, proposing policy actions to boost productivity and growth ensuring at the same time that the benefits from the reforms implementation reach a vast majority of workers and households.

Greece, creditors seek progress at Eurogroup on key differences holding up review

Greece and its lenders head into Monday’s Eurogroup with differences on several key issues that will have to be resolved if the second review is to conclude in the days ahead.

Review talks focus on out-of-court workout, jobs scheme and energy market

The third day of discussions between the institutions’ mission chiefs and the Greek authorities included two meetings that focused on the out-of-court workout and active employment policies.

Opening the electricity market and possible introduction of "Small PPC" as part of bailout review

Greece will be required to explicitly commit to ''alternative structural measures", as the memorandum with its creditors stipulates, in case the mandatory NOME auctions for selling Public Power Company’s (PPC) electricity products to its competitors do not succeed.