Reuters and Dow Jones on Tuesday reported that Greece will ask for a bailout extension Wednesday. The news agency cited “sources”.
The report overturned the negative mood in US markets.
According to Proto Thema reports from Athens, the leftist Greek government wants to use the Greek words for “bridge”, “expanding” and “correcting”, rather than the more touchy “extension”, which it said it wouldn’t request.
Sources claimed the Greek proposal – supposedly being drafted by FinMin Yanis Varoufakis’ office — will be based on a text submitted on Feb. 11, eyeing a stretching of the agreement until August.
The earlier text had been submitted by Eurogroup head Jeroen Dijsselbloem during a euro area meeting of FinMins on Feb. 11.
The same sources said the “extension” refers to loan framework and not to the “memorandum”
In a bid to “sweeten” any bitter taste from the request, Athens is reportedly insisting on the inclusion of two measures cited by PM Alexis Tsipras when he was in the opposition, namely, tackling what he radical leftist party has dubbed a “humanitarian crisis” in the country, and reversing labor market reforms. These measures are presented as not burdening state coffers.
Moreover, Athens’ “liaison” in the process of drafting the proposed request is EU Commissioner Pierre Moscovici.