Troika Envoys Probe Greek Budget Shortfall

ATHENS (AP) ? International debt inspectors were meeting on Nov. 12 with Greece's finance minister to examine government claims that a financing shortfall next year can be covered without any major new austerity measures. The officials from the Troika ? the European Union, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund ? are scrutinizing the government's forecast that the bailout loans will be 500 million euros ($670 million) short of the country's financing needs next year. Greece maintains the sum would be small enough to make up for without resorting to more spending cuts or tax increases.The Troika officials were in talks with Yannis Stournaras to reach an understanding on the issue before the government submits its 2014 budget to Parliament at the end of next week.

READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.thenationalherald.com