Top minister: Previous govt pledges to creditors ‘less painful’ than current conditions

Interior Minister Nikos Voutsis compares previous government’s promises to conclude bailout deal with conditions demanded this week by creditors

A top minister on Thursday admitted that the infamous email sent by the previous government’s FinMin was “less painful” than the conditions presented this week by creditors.
Interior Minister Nikos Voutsis was referring to a leaked email sent by former FinMin Gikas Hardouvelis to representatives of the “troika” — today’s “institutions”. The measures envisioned that that text by Hardouvelis aimed to finalize negotiations with creditors at the time for conclusion of a second bailout package.
Nevertheless, when leaked by the press, the email’s contents became a “rally cry” for the leftist opposition to criticize the coalition government and to eventually win the snap Jan. 25 election.
Speaking to the Athens television station Skai, Voutsis also said he sees the current situation as a “glass half empty”.