The first round of the negotiations between Greek government and the representatives of the institutions concludes today without, though, closing any main issues.

In the meantime, the head of the IMF, Christine Lagarde, asked for significant social security reforms to make the system sustainable, while Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras asked German Chancellor Angela Merkel not to have any more delays on the side of the institutions.

Given the strong social reactions, any delay in the negotiations with the lenders will create a climate of political destabilization in Greece.

The institutions have not clarified yet their position, showing that beyond the purely technical part of the negotiations they also weigh Greece’s political situation.

The tactic of delays is a well-known strategy of the institutions, while the Greek government aims to conclude negotiations until the end of February.