Euclid Tsakalotos
Tsakalotos defends handouts, dismisses 'severe' reaction by Regling
A package of benefits announced in recent weeks are part of a broader plan and signal that Greece is turning a page following its exit from international bailouts last year, Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos has told the Athens-Macedonia news agency, adding that criticism of the handouts by some foreign officials has been "severe."
Why Tsakalotos opted to skip the Eurogroup
Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos chose to skip last week's Eurogroup meeting in Brussels, where serious criticism was expressed against Greek government decisions. The minister's explanation for staying in Athens was that Greece would not be on the agenda of the eurozone finance ministers' talks, which he knew was not the case.
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EU concerned about PM handouts as FinMin plans more
Handouts announced by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras ahead of municipal and European Parliament elections next week appear to have raised concerns among European Union governments over whether Greece will be able to honor its pledges to creditors even as Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos indicated that more relief measures are in the works.
EU official voices concern over Greek PM handouts
"Relief measures" announced by Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras ahead of municipal and European Parliament elections appear to have raised concerns among EU governments over the country's efforts to meet its pledges to lenders.
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FinMin says government eyeing return of EKAS benefit for pensioners
Greek Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos said on Tuesday that the government is pondering the reintroduction of a "solidarity benefit" for low-income pensioners in a "more targeted form," along with other measures including making it harder for the state to seize the deposits of indebted businesses.
Businesses seek compensation for vandalism
A vandalism spree by self-styled anarchists in central Athens on Thursday night is believed to have caused some 70,000 euros in damages, the Athens Chamber of Commerce & Industry (EBEA) has said.
According to EBEA representatives that inspected the damage, most of the stores targeted were clothing, shoe and accessory retailers, as well as two bank branches and a gallery.
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Bond market reaction to put off new issue
The Greek bond and stock markets had a negative reaction to Tuesday's government announcements, contrary to what Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos said would happen when presenting the handouts planned.
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Editorial: Benefits with a view to elections
The aim of the benefits announced yesterday by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is clear and specific.
Under pressure after it was revealed that he vacationed last August on a shipowner's yacht, the PM hastily presented his already planned fiscal stimulus package in an effort to change the unfavourable political climate.
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Greek PM unveils tax, pension relief measures ahead of elections
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Tuesday announced tax cuts and pledged to reinstate a benefit for low income pensioners among other "relief measures," weeks before municipal and European Parliament elections.
Creditors set to insist on measures that boost growth
Greece's creditors are expected to assess the government's plans for handouts based on projections of the fiscal space available, in the context of the spring forecasts the European Commission is set to publish on Tuesday.