×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Friday
16
Oct 2026
weather symbol
Athens 16°C
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • World
  • Diaspora
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Mediterranean Cooking
  • Weather
Contact follow Protothema:
Powered by
> Economy

NYT: Greece needs a debt ‘haircut’

The ongoing crisis will cost the whole EU

Newsroom May 14 10:54

Δείτε περισσότερα άρθρα μας στα αποτελέσματα αναζήτησης

Add Protothema.gr on Google

In its main op ed piece titled ‘Time to End the Greek Debt Tragedy’, the editorial team of ‘New York Times’ argues that without a debt relief the Greek debt crisis cannot be solved. From the NYT:

It’s the season when Greece’s continuing debt saga approaches what has now become a familiar summer climax, with citizens protesting austerity cuts and international creditors squabbling over the terms of loans. It’s time to exit this cycle and face reality: Without relief, Greece’s economy will never recover, with repercussions the European Union can ill afford.
Last July, the government of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras was forced to accept a raft of austerity measures imposed by international creditors in order to receive a bailout. This has taken a toll, and around a quarter of the population is unemployed.
Still, on Sunday, Greek legislators approved an additional 5.4 billion euros in austerity measures, the day before European finance ministers met in Brussels to discuss whether Greece was meeting the terms of last year’s bailout program and could qualify for an infusion of 5.7 billion euros. Greek citizens were in the streets protesting the idea of more cuts. .
But, Europe’s finance ministers failed to agree on whether Greece had made enough progress, putting off a decision until they meet on May 24. They are also balking at an International Monetary Fund demand that Greece get debt relief when the bailout program ends in 2018. The I.M.F. is threatening to pull its support from the program if that relief is not offered.
The problem is Germany, Greece’s main national creditor: German federal elections will take place next year, and many German citizens feel their hard work and thrift should not be squandered on rescuing the Greeks from the pain of their fiscal sins.
Last year, Germany threatened to oust Greece from the European Union and the euro if it didn’t deliver on austerity measures. Given Greece’s front-line position in Europe’s refugee crisis, Germany can no longer afford to threaten Greece. The last thing Europe needs is a “failed state,” as Greece’s finance minister, Euclid Tsakalotos, warned on Saturday, on its border with Turkey.
When Europe’s finance ministers reconvene, they would do well — for Greece, for the European Union and for Germany — to approve the July release of funds and agree to debt relief. Greece has gone a long way to satisfy austerity demands, but without debt relief its crisis will never end.

Ask me anything

Explore related questions

> More Economy

Follow en.protothema.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news

See all the latest News from Greece and the World, the moment they happen, at en.protothema.gr

> Latest Stories

CBS News: US faces critical shortage of interceptor missiles, with stockpiles not expected to recover until 2030

October 16, 2026

Turkey issues second Anti-NAVTEX in hours, challenging Cyprus’s EEZ and EMC cable survey operations linking Asia and Europe

October 16, 2026

€114m VAT fraud involving smartphones; Arrests in Cyprus, Germany and Italy, searches also in Greece

October 16, 2026

Network of 30 companies, €5.6 million fraud and asset freezes: The case involving Filippos Kampouris

October 16, 2026

“The future of luxury hospitality has people at its heart”: How a top hotel group prioritises employees as much as guests

October 16, 2026

Houthis strike Yemen’s Presidential Palace with missiles and drones: Five dead, Prime Minister & cabinet ministers safe

October 16, 2026

Eight substances found in George Mazonakis’s blood, including cocaine, family-appointed expert says

October 16, 2026

Illegal gambling in Greece: How a criminal ring used rigged software and panic buttons to evade police

October 16, 2026
All News

> Greece

In reverence, the emotional deposition in Jerusalem, see photos & video

The Holy Temple of the Resurrection opened after many days due to the war between Israel and Iran

April 10, 2026

In the final stretch for the accreditation of joint master’s degrees: Aiming for their launch in the coming academic year

April 10, 2026

Schedule for Epitaph Procession today (10/4)

April 10, 2026

Perfect weather for Easter excursions, according to Tsatrafyllia’s forecast

April 10, 2026

Easter in Greece: The customs that continue in Greek tradition – From Nafpaktos to Corfu

April 10, 2026
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2026 Πρώτο Θέμα