Only 30 pct of prior actions completed

The clock is ticking for the government, with just 11 working days before the December 4 Eurogroup, but its progress regarding the bailout review milestones is not at all encouraging so far.

Less than a third (some 30 percent) of the prior actions required have been implemented, forcing Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to begin a round of face-to-face contacts with the ministers who have pending issues in their jurisdiction. The process started on Wednesday with Environment and Energy Minister Giorgos Stathakis, with Transport and Infrastructure Minister Christos Spirtzis up next as he has seven prior actions pending.

There will also be a meeting with the political administration of the Health Ministry, as well as with Administrative Reform Minister Olga Gerovasili. The latter will have to promote the issue of the permanent general secretaries and general directors of ministries with a five-year mandate, but has run into the opposition of fellow cabinet members and the SYRIZA party mechanism that is not at all happy at such a prospect.

Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos also has a number of pending issues, as 10 prior actions that remain open lie within his remit.