State dues rise instead of falling

The state has ceased paying off its debts to its suppliers after the country exited the bailout program in the summer. Instead of diminishing, the state's dues increased slightly in October, as the government's is obviously prioritizing the payment of social dividends and covering the ruling party's promises.

The data released on Monday by the State General Accounting Office showed that state debts to suppliers and taxpayers created within 2018 increased to 2.621 billion euros at end-October, from 2.613 at end-September.

The government has given up trying to bring its arrears to third parties down to zero by end-December, its latest target date, even though the country's creditors and Eurogroup chief Mario Centeno have issued strict recommendations regarding delays related to the implementation of reforms, including the repayment of debts. It is likely the issue of...