PM says will not implement measures beyond those set at summit, sees commitment for debt relief
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said on Wednesday that his government would not implement reform measures beyond what was agreed with lenders at a eurozone summit earlier this month.
"I know well the framework of the deal we signed at the euro zone summit on July 12," Tsipras told SYRIZA-affiliated Sto Kokkino radio.
"We will implement these commitments, irrespective of whether we agree with it or not. Nothing beyond that."
Tsipras also said the country would report a primary budget balance that breaks even or registers a deficit this year, depending on the financial situation.
Debt relief
In the same interview, Tsipras expressed confidence that Greece’s creditors will grant debt relief and blamed their intractability for worsening the country’s economic plight.
“What’s crucial is that we got a commitment for debt relief, which will take place after the first review of the program, in November,” he said.
Greece was forced to impose capital controls and close its banks on June 28, following Tsipras’s decision to end talks with creditors and hold a referendum on their latest proposals. Banks reopened with limited services last week, after Tsipras accepted to negotiate a new loan facility attached to austerity measures. The country’s stock market remains closed.
“I don’t regret anything that’s happened over the past five months,” Tsipras said. “As for the economy, the situation is reversible.”
In-party dissent
Tsipras also attacked the inner-party opposition of ruling SYRIZA of seeking to manipulate the outcome of this month's bailout referendum.
“The Greek people voted 'no' to a bad deal, they did not vote for an exit from the euro,” he said.
“Now some people are trying to manipulate [the result],” he said.
Asked about the possibility of a snap poll, Tsipras said he may be forced to call a general election if he does not have a working parliamentary majority.
"I would be the last person to want elections, if I had the secured parliamentary majority to make it through to the end of the four-year term," he said.
[Combined reports]
