John Milios, Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) Chief Economic Adviser, took to Facebook amid tough negotiations by suggesting a “delay in obligations towards creditors” of Greece. On his personal account he suggested that payments to international creditors should be stopped until an agreement is reached in negotiations. In the same Facebook note, titled “Chess, not poker (regaining lost time)” he states that the government had been given a mandate by citizens to stop crushing austerity policies as signalled by its victory during the January 25 snap elections. He states that SYRIZA won the elections as a result of a pledge to end the tough austerity policies imposed on the country and its commitment to put an end to memorandums that only reinforced capital. People, from the outset, were against these policies, taking to the streets by the thousands “seeking social justice and democracy, against the oligarchy interests that envorced memorandum policies. Already precious time has been lost.”

He underlines that a stop in payments would not be akin to an exit from the Eurozone. He said that the Eurozone’s stability would be harmed by an exit of a member country. “We face a historic challenge and need to respond without hesitation and contraditions!” he concludes.