Euclid Tsakalotos

With European Parliament and local authority elections looming in May, and speculation rising about possible early general elections, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is planning a multi-pronged campaign, Kathimerini understands.

What Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos dared to say is the self-evident, at least for democratic countries. He said that in the unlikely and unfortunate event that New Democracy comes to power after the next general election, SYRIZA will support it in efforts to renegotiate the currently very high primary surplus targets agreed to with creditors.

Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos said that SYRIZA and New Democracy should cooperate and forge a common front toward creditors in demanding a reduction of the high, 3.5 percent of GDP primary surplus target, the results of which he said fuel the rise of the far right.

Greece's conservative opposition party said on Thursday it was pleased to hear ruling SYRIZA will support New Democracy's plan to seek a lower primary surplus target if elected in government late this year.

Greek Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos said the government will implement the reforms required by its post-bailout agreement by March 11 so that the country will be able to receive aid from its creditors, according to an interview with CNBC on Wednesday.

Standard & Poor's rating agency affirmed on Friday Greece's credit rating at B+, with a positive outlook, as the market anticipates the first bond issue by Greece after almost a year.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras won a confidence vote in parliament on Jan. 16, clearing a major hurdle for Greece's approval of an accord to end a dispute over Macedonia's name and averting the prospect of a snap election.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras will meet with European Commissioner for Economic Affairs Pierre Moscovici at 2.45 p.m. at Maximos Mansion, his office said.

Moscovici is expected to convey to Athens the growing concern in Brussels, as Greece's creditors see no progress in the implementation of the country's post-bailout commitments.

European Economic Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici is due in Athens on Wednesday where he will meet with government ministers and the prime minister.

Moscovici will first see President Prokopis Pavlopoulos and then meet with Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras at Maximos Mansion between 14:45 and 15:30. Their meeting will be followed by brief statements to the press.

With its benchmark bond yield stuck between 4.3 and 4.4 percent, Greece's cost of borrowing continues to be high, Citigroup warned in a note to clients, following statements by Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos earlier this week about drawing 7 billion euros from the markets.