EZ 10-day ultimatum sours Athens’ mood

According to Finance Ministry sources

An ultimatum for an urgent agreement until a Feb. 16 Eurogroup session was sent by European partners during last night’s Euroworking group meeting.

 

According to reports, the climate at the Greek finance ministry was less than jubilant. Sources referred to “unrealistic pressure” for an extension of the current program.

 

According to the same sources, countries friendly to the new Greek government’s position were “scared” and hesitated to express themselves.

 

Nevertheless, noted game theorist and current Greek FinMin Yanis Varoufakis appears willing to take it to the end.

Varoufakis’ position, according to the same reports, is to not sign an extension, or to back down in the face of European pressure, claiming this will lead to the government’s collapse.

If the same sources are to be believed, the outspoken Greek economist is willing to suffer the consequences and has warned creditors they will suffer the consequences as well. He characterized an extension of the bailout program as a sign of complete obedience.

 

Ministry circles also underlined that the previous government stood its ground for eight months in the face of demanded reforms that previous ministers considered as destructive to Greek society.

 

According to other sources, there will be a new proposal composed by the Cabinet, which the government will present at the next Euroworking Group.

 

The government’s goal is to achieve a financing “bridge”.

 

In any case, the SYRIZA government, even when in the opposition, said the goal is to definitely remain in the eurozone.