The current Greek bailout program is over and austerity measures included in it have failed, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras told Stern magazine in an exclusive interview published on the magazine’s website on Wednesday.
“To us, the old austerity program is dead. Anyone coming up with ideas like that is wasting their time,” Tsipras was quoted as saying to the German adding that the proposal to extend the program by six months did not make sense.
The premier noted that there was no room in Europe for ultimatums like the one given to Greece to agree to a Eurogroup proposal by Friday. “There should be no place in the EU for such an ultimatum. Nobody can command us to take over from where the Samaras government left off.”
Asked by the journalist what Greece is requesting, Tsipras said: “We don’t want any new assistance loans. We want time to be able to press on with our reforms. That’s why we need a bridge program. It would also allow us to raise additional financial resources through short-term government bonds.” He also requested that Europe does not impose new measures.
Asked whether Greece was preparing itself for leaving the euro zone with a plan B, Tsipras said: “We don’t need such a plan. Because we will stay in the euro. But we won’t achieve this objective at the expense of the weak – like our previous government.”
Speaking on the German Finance Minister’s proposal to send 500 tax investigators to help Greece deal with tax evasion, Tsipras said he said he welcomes the assistance. “He should send 5000 if they can help us to combat tax evasion.”
(source: ana-mpa)
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