Issue of TAIPED experts settled, 7.5-bln-euro tranche looming

The government is trying to wrap up the thorny issue of the case against six advisers to state sell-off fund TAIPED so it can look forward to collecting 7.5 billion euros after the third bailout review is completed. The prospect has helped improve economic sentiment too.

The penultimate article of the multi-bill presented in Parliament this week provides for the extension of the protection from prosecution that TAIPED board members enjoy to the members of the TAIPED Experts Council. The six experts, including three European officials, have repeatedly been accused of "non-beneficial utilization" of 28 properties belonging to the state, drawing a strong reaction from the Eurogroup, particularly the ministers of Italy, Spain and Slovakia, over concerns about their compatriots.

Once the multi-bill, which also settles dozens of other prior actions required from Athens, is...