Juncker trusts Alexis, doesn’t trust … SYRIZA

Jean-Claude Juncker told the news agency MNI on Tuesday that he trusts Greek PM Alexis Tsipras, noting that the latter has become “very responsible”, whereas he… doesn’t hold the same opinion for the ruling SYRIZA party, because of its many “trends”.

The high-profile EC President, who is usually considered as amongst the most pro-Athens leaders in Europe, added that the Greek state’s coffers need an additional 1.8 billion euros in revenue from VAT.

In other matters of paramount importance to an increasingly cash-strapped public sector, Juncker said the IMF’s participation in any pending deal with Athens is necessary. Additionally, he said a negative development in Greece, such as “Grexit” or “Graccident”, could spread and affect the entire eurozone.

Turning to Greece’s “celebrity” Finance Minister, the increasingly embattled Yanis Varoufakis, Juncker didn’t hide his displeasure, saying the self-described “erratic Marxist” isn’t helping in the process and progress in negotiations.

His comments came on the same day that the radical leftist government promised to make good on its payment to the IMF, which is scheduled for June 5.

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