Economist: The Greek Government Reshuffle and Early Elections

The Economist magazine published an article today, June 13, commenting on the Greek Prime Minister’s actions and the recent Greek government reshuffle, concluding that Antonis Samaras decided to put his best players in key cabinet member positions, in order to ready to face possible early elections. The Economist reports that “Greece may be emerging from recession, at last”, but the Greek prime minister, Antonis Samaras, still has “to keep relations with international creditors on an even keel.” Furthermore,  it notes that “Athens may even need a third bail-out after the current package expires in 2015, the European Commission has warned”. According to the magazine, the Greek prime minister chose a technocrat trained in the U.S., Gikas Hardouvelis, who has “a long “to-do” list of measures aimed at boosting competition but resisted by interest groups, from pharmacists to producers of fresh milk.” Meanwhile, former Greek Finance Minister, Yannis Stournaras, has been appointed as the head of the central bank. In addition, the Economist commented on the fact that Nikos Dendias (“a lawyer”) took over as the new Minister of Development and has to face two critical fronts: to divide the EU funding and to manage foreign investments. “Both [fronts are] critical to putting Greece on the path to sustained growth.” While analyzing the new members of the Greek government, the Economist, states that the Prime Minister’s action suggest that he “wants to take a tougher line towards (extreme-left wing party )SYRIZA, perhaps in preparation for an early election.” SYRIZA’s leader, Alexis Tsipras is planning on call on early elections, in February, when the time to vote for the new President of the Hellenic Republic comes. Indeed, the magazine assumes that the Prime Minister will not be able to secure enough votes from independent MPs to elect a President. Therefore he may not succeed in avoiding early elections.  

READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT greece.greekreporter.com