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Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Libération: 100 Days that Haven’t Changed Greece

An article in the front page of French leftist newspaper Libération made an assessment of the first three months of the SYRIZA-led government in Greece and the writer wondered if the lack of changes is the government’s fault or if Brussels is to be blamed. Author of the piece Laurent Joffrin reviewed the tough negotiations between Greece and its international creditors, as well as the anti-austerity policies of the first radical leftist government. A detailed presentation of the ongoing negotiations, the sidelining of Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis from the talks, the government’s procrastination to implement the changes promised before the elections are presented with the author questioning the Greek government’s determination not to compromise in negotiations. SYRIZA “delays to ignite,” Joffrin commented, referring to the fact that negotiations have put the government’s agenda on hold. The author argued that Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has to choose between an honorable compromise that will satisfy both sides or fall off the cliff by coming to a rift with Europe and lead the country to exit the Eurozone. A Grexit, however, would be disastrous for Greece, Joffrin said. Thereby, an honorable compromise that will keep Greece in the common currency bloc and at the same time make the SYRIZA government credible in Europe would be the best solution. After all, the majority of the Greek people want to stay in the euro and Tsipras had promised that in his pre-election campaign. Finally, Joffrin said that Tsipras and SYRIZA have the support of French communists.


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT greece.greekreporter.com