In an attempt to limit whatever negative impressions created by the government’s refusal to continue negotiations with the troika and to implement a bailout program, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras told Bloomberg that he doesn’t want to create rupture, “but it’s time to produce a plan without austerity”.

“It is my responsibility to respect the loud and clear mandate of the Greek nation, ending austerity and returning to growth. However, in no case does the above refer to a non-fulfillment of our debt obligations towards the ECB and the IMF,” he further clarified.

“Despite different approaches, I am certain that we will soon manage to reach a mutually beneficial agreement, both for Greece and for the whole of Europe.”

“We need time to breathe and to create our own medium-term recovery plan, which among others will incorporate the objectives of primary balanced budgets and radical reforms to tackle the issues of tax evasion, corruption and patronage of the state,” Tsipras said.