Prime Minister Antonis Samaras ruled out discussion on the possibility of a third memorandum when speaking with Real News Sunday newspaper. He said that the country doesn’t need additional loans and that the troika will leave after the current program ends. He said that the end to troika’s monitoring of Greek debt is due to the successful debt restructuring and the good course of the plan to exit the markets following fiscal consolidation.

He said that taxpayers can begin to have tax reliefs starting this year as well as the increase of the arrangements for loans.

He said:

“Greece does not need additional loans! And would not sign a ‘new memorandum’ for money it does not need. After the end of the program the troika will leave, as was the case in Ireland and in Portugal. What matters is for the program to end and for Greece to become a ‘normal country again.”

Samaras was critical of the policies of the main opposition party, the Coalition of the Left SYRIZA. He said SYRIZA’s policies will automatically lead to a new memorandum.

He said:

“Mr. Tsipras is returnint to the “money exists”* mentality that brought us in this condition. These are populist pledges that lead us to a new memorandum! Now that we are exiting from the memorandum and we will not need additional loans. That’s our basic difference from SYRIZA…” (“Money Exists” was the much criticized slogan of former socialist Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou that is believed by many to have led to Greece’s downfall)

His interview also focused on the single property tax known as ENFIA and he said that the mistakes weren’t the fault of former finance minister Yannis Stournaras. He also said that the current Finance Minister Gikas Hardouvelis had his full support.

He was optimistic about the future. He said:

“Greece will receive authorization for debt sustainability. Unofficially, many believe that the debt is sustainable, the international markets recognize this, the international rating agencies recognize this and very soon we’ll also have official certification regarding this.”

He said that early elections would be “suicide” and prompt instability, destroying efforts over the last few years.