Seventh austerity package

Greece’s latest deal with the Eurogroup—the group of eurozone finance ministers—is bigger news than you might think from the press reactions so far.

The Eurogroup welcomes that agreement has been reached between Greece and the institutions on a policy package of structural measures, which aims at shoring up growth and addressing the underlying structural imbalances in public finances and paves the way for a successful completion of the second review of the ESM programme.

Ahead of yet another crucial Eurogroup on June 15, the government has its mind set on seeking a package of growth-inducing measures which it hopes may, finally, pry open the door that will ultimately put Greece on the road to recovery. 

In the wake of last week's Eurogroup impasse, European officials are mulling a plan B for Greece that would sideline the International Monetary Fund, curb debt relief and reduce the need for austerity after 2019, Kathimerini understands.

The Eurogroup, after many hours of negotiations has ended.

There is no agreement regarding the debt issue, which will however be discussed in detail on June 15th. The differences with the IMF still remain, although there is some optimism regarding the final outcome of the negotiations.

Greece hopes to achieve a so-called “global deal” at Monday’s EuroGroup meeting which is scheduled to start at 4pm (Greek time). The aim of the Greek side at the meeting to ensure a wording in the final document detailing the interim measures on the Greek debt reduction.

With a new raft of austerity measures voted into law by coalition MPs, the government has shifted its attention to Monday's crucial meeting of eurozone finance ministers in Brussels, hoping for a decision on debt relief as well as a green light for bailout funds.

Greek lawmakers approved an omnibus bill late on Thursday, required by the country's official lenders to conclude a crucial bailout review and release more aid to the debt-ridden country.

The Greek debt will be officially included on the May 22 EuroGroup agenda, according to the head of the body Jeroen Dijsselbloem. In the regular briefing to the Dutch parliament Mr.

Two more labor unions said Thursday that they will take part in a general strike on May 17. They are the Hellenic Federation of Private Sector Employees (OIYE) and the Public Hospital Workers Union (POEDIN).

The strike is being held to express dissatisfaction with the latest austerity measures agreed by the government and the country's creditors.