In Europe

Alexis Tsipras

Grexit should be avoided, even the quite pessimistic analysts argue

The Corner | July 9, 2015 | Athens should make a formal request of a third aid programme with a detailed reforms agenda today. Some analysts say an agreement with its creditors is not out of reach but that a Grexit is unavoidable. Others believe in Mr Tsipras’ determination to fix things and stay in the club for everyone’s sake.


George Osborne

UK Budget: Summertime Love

LONDON | July 9, 2015 | UBS | At one simplistic level the UK budget contained only ‘small’ news, with the net borrowing forecasts not changing too much. But the reality was this was a budget with a huge number of important announcements. For one, it reduced the near-term pace of fiscal consolidation. For another, it spelt out how the government intends to reduce the size of the welfare state. 



Greek debt restructuring

Greek debt restructuring: the mother of all battles

BRUSSELS | July 7, 2015 | By Alexandre MatoWhen euro leaders and their finance ministers meet with the Greek government later today for a fresh round of negotiations to agree on a new economic assistance programme, the debt issue will still be the mother of all battles. Over the last few days, some economists in Brussels have gathered together ideas for putting Hellenic public finances in order.

 


Greek referendum

Greek referendum: Divided we fall?

ATHENS | July 6, 2015 | By Nick Malkoutzis via MacroPolisAlmost 11 years ago today, tens of thousands of Greeks poured on to the streets in harmonious celebration of the national team’s Euro 2004 victory. That was another decade, another time, another world. Today, Greeks have little to celebrate and much that divides them. 


No Picture

Greece fails to know what it voted for

MADRID | July 6, 2015 | By J.P. Marin-Arrese | As people gathered last  night in Syntagma, hailing the crushing victory in the referendum, few seemed aware of its tremendous consequences. Today, as banks remain closed and no cash is available, they will get a nasty taste of what remains at stake for them.


Greek referendum

Greek crisis: It’s the Politics, Stupid!

PARIS | July 5, 2015 | By Francesco Saraceno | I have been silent on Greece, because scores of excellent economists from all sides commented at length and in real time on the developments of negotiation, and most has been said. But last week has transformed into a  certainty what had been a fear since the beginning. The Troika, backed by the quasi totality of EU governments, were not interested in finding a solution which would allow Greece to recover while embarking on a fiscally sustainable path. No, they were interested in a complete and public defeat of the “radical” Greek government. a


Greek referendum

Greek referendum: Between Scylla and Charybdis

ATHENS | July 4, 2015 | By Yannis Mouzakis via MacroPolisHere we are again, just over five years of the anniversary of the country’s first programme and more than 210 billion euros of financing later, Greece is about to hold the referendum that machinations and backroom dealings averted back in 2011. 


Greek referendum

The Greek referendum leads nowhere

MADRID | July 3, 2015 | By JP Marín ArreseTsipras’ strategy has been based on the wrong assumption EU leaders would cave in when confronted with the awesome prospect of the euro losing its irrevocable nature. But betting on such dangerous game theories, so dear to Mr Varoufakis, has created an appalling mess. Any desperate attempt to renew negotiations seems doomed until the referendum is held. Anything short of a ‘yes’ vote would plunge Greece into a dire situation.


Greek referendum

Yes to the Greek referendum, no to the way it’s being held

ATHENS | July 2, 2015 | By Nick Malkoutzis via MacroPolis | Since the start of Greece’s bailout programs in 2010, there has been an unrequited desire in Greek public opinion for a referendum. In fact, current Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras urged the then Greek leader George Papandreou to hold one before signing the first memorandum of understanding with creditors five years ago. In late 2011, when Papandreou proposed holding one, Tsipras was against the idea.