The Greek Prime Minister, Antonis Samaras met on Friday with the Government Vice President Evangelos Venizelos, in order to discuss several pressing matters.
At the top of the agenda were the crucial negotiations with the Troika which are moving slowly, affecting the Greek political climate. The postponement of the Troika’s return to Athens which was scheduled for early January, and before this Monday’s Eurogroup, has created serious concern amongst the members of the Greek coalition government.
The Greek government was planning to reach an agreement with the Troika as soon as possible, and use the primary surplus as its trump card for a successful campaign in May’s upcoming elections.
The two politicians also talked about the major issue of terrorism and the escape of the convicted member of November 17th, Christodoulos Xeros. Xeros’ escape has been met with much criticism at home and abroad, prompting the Minister of Justice Charalambos Athanasiou to establish stricter criteria for prison furloughs. The Minister noted that improvements of Greek prisons are necessary, however he claimed that Greece has one of the lowest furlough escape rates in Europe.
Other major issues discussed by the two leaders were, the results of the latest polls showing SYRIZA in the lead, their MPs negative reaction to austerity measures, the Greek presidency of the EU as well as the the migrant sea tragedy in Farmakonisi and the subsequent international outcry against Greek government.
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