Calamos Supports Greece
GreekReporter.comGreek NewsEconomyGreek Coalition Reels, Awaits EU on Loan

Greek Coalition Reels, Awaits EU on Loan

Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras is looking everywhere for support these days during more tough times for Greece

Prime Minister Antonis Samaras is struggling to keep his uneasy coalition together in an attempt to present a united front before Eurozone finance ministers meet on Nov. 20 to consider approving a long-delayed $38.8 billion loan installment, and as he sets to attend a European Union summit later in the week.
Samaras got the Parliament to approve a $17.45 billion loan installment demanded by the Troika of the European Union-International Monetary Fund-European Central Bank (EU-IMF-ECB) despite reservations from his partners. The PASOK Socialists supported it, although six members were ejected for opposing it, and the Democratic Left voted present.
New objections are being raised over Samaras’ plans to repeal a law granting citizenship to second-generation immigrants, adding fears that the coalition could break apart at a crucial moment. Samaras has reportedly set aside a plan to shuffle his Cabinet, including possibly adding some PASOK members who supported him, until after Greece’s big week, the newspaper Kathimerini reported.
After talks with Samaras, Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras indicated that he was hopeful his Eurozone peers would reach a decision but offered no predictions. “I can’t say anything now; I don’t want to jinx it,” he said. He may have been buoyed by the cautious optimism voiced earlier by IMF chief Christine Lagarde for a likely solution to Greece’s debt problem.
As Stournaras prepares to meet his counterparts for the critical talks, Samaras is preparing for the EU Summit on Nov. 22-23. Before that, he is said to be planning further discussions with PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos and Fotis Kouvelis of the Democratic Left, with the citizenship law a prime issue.
Venizelos and Kouvelis oppose repealing the law that grants citizenship to second-generation immigrants born in Greece, who speak Greek and have at least six years of Greek school, and Justice Minister Antonis Roupakiotis said he won’t back the Premier amid reports he may quit over the divide.
There are also reports of vehement objections to certain reforms demanded by the troika in other ministries apart from that of Roupakiotis. Samaras, eager to get away from the high anxiety of domestic troubles, is reportedly planning a series of trips outside the country, including to Qatar, China, Russia and the US in coming months.
(Source: Kathimerini)

See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!



Related Posts