MacroPolis

Lenders return to Athens with much work ahead to reach SLA by May 24

The effort to reach a staff-level agreement (SLA) by the May 24 Eurogroup resumes in Athens on Monday with the return of the institution’s technical teams, who will be followed by the mission chiefs.

Ministers urged to speed up reforms as Athens prepares for lenders to return

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is making a fresh push so his government can progress enough with the fourth review prior actions so there can be a staff-level agreement on May 24, when eurozone finance ministers are due to meet.

Concern over prior actions grows, debt talks approach crucial juncture

The race to complete as many of the fourth review’s 88 prior actions as possible in the coming days is dominating the Greek government’s agenda, although what will follow the conclusion of the programme also seems to be on the mind of coalition officials.

Athens and creditors place immediate focus on remaining key deliverables

The drama-free announcement of the bank stress test results on Saturday cleared the way for Greece and the institutions to focus on the completion of the fourth review in the coming weeks.

Tsakalotos eyes conclusion of review and debt talks, will not dispute pension cuts

The Greek government remains confident about concluding the fourth review on time and does not intend to attempt to argue with its creditors that the pension cuts lined up for next year should be postponed.

Is the cost of Greece's public sector soaring again?

By: Georgia Nakou

As Greece approaches the end of its bailout programme, claims are emerging that the SYRIZA-ANEL government has been on a public sector hiring spree at the expense of already over-burdened taxpayers, while seeking to entrench itself in the state through political appointments.

OECD highlights reforms and imbalances that need to be addressed

The Organisation of Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) issued on Monday its latest survey on Greece, which was also accompanied by a visit to Athens by Secretary General Angel Gurria during which he met the Greek Prime Minister and other officials.

Institutions prepare for Athens return, completion of fourth review

The institutions will return to Athens on May 14 with a view to securing a staff-level agreement (SLA) to bring the fourth review to a close later in the month, the Eurogroup decided on Friday.

Pressure mounts on coalition to complete fourth review prior actions

The Greek government is waiting to hear from Friday’s meeting of the Washington Group to get a clearer understanding of where its lenders stand on the issues that hold the key to making a successful programme exit this summer, including debt relief and fiscal measures.

Ahead of IMF Spring Meetings, questions remain about conclusion of programme

Attention is due to turn to Washington this week in the hope that the discussions which take place at the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund’s Spring Meetings will provide some clarity on the conclusion of the Greek programme and what will follow.