Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras admitted at the cabinet meeting held on Tuesday that it was the Greek side that proposed automatic cuts in salaries and pensions, if there is objective evidence of a failure to meet the annual primary surplus targets in the program.

He also said that would not be needed, because “for the first time, we have a program that is realistic”.

Regarding the debt, Mr. Tsipras said that Greece has for the first time a roadmap with specific steps for debt reduction which will become more specific at technical level at the Eurogroup meeting to take place on May 24 and will lead to the debt relief.

“Today we deserve to be happy, realistically happy, though, and optimistic,” he said clarifying that the next period will be demanding. “A plan is needed as well as determination for rupture and changes, boldness and effectiveness to finally get the economy on track,” Mr. Tsipras said.