IMF wants to leave negotiations, while Greek side scrambling to keep the group in Greece until deal reached

There is convergence, sources says

According to sources close to the negotiations between Greece and its lenders (Quartet), the IMF has expressed the desire to leave the negotiating table within the next 2 to 3 days. The Greek side on its part is desperately trying to salvage a deal on the tax threshold within the next 48-72 hours. A high government source said that the Greek side wants the institutions to remain in Athens until a deal is struck. The Greek team tabled a new proposal with changes concerning taxation with the institutions agreeing. During the meeting in the afternoon there were compromises by both sides, which was a positive sign of a possible deal, the government source said. The government’s goal is to save whatever can be on the matter of the tax threshold level. The talks also involve the coefficients on the tax brackets of farmers, pensioners and employees, where there is a difference between the two of 10 percentage points. The government wanted a 42 per cent coefficient on 30,000 Euros income, while the creditors want the 42 percent to start at 42,000 Euros. On that basis the prospect of a 32 percent coefficient at 22,000 Euros is also under examination.