Friday, February 6, 2015

Greece: Alexis Tsipras and Varoufakis tours like rock stars – SPIEGEL ONLINE

Greece: Alexis Tsipras and Varoufakis tours like rock stars – SPIEGEL ONLINE

Friday, January 30: Commotion in Athens

  euro group chief Dijsselbloem (covered), Varoufakis: Icy mood
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REUTERS

EUR-group chief Dijsselbloem (covered), Varoufakis: Icy mood

European tour week of the new government has not even begun yet the sound is icy: Dutch Finance Minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem , also head of the Euro Group, visited counterpart Varoufakis in Athens. At the press conference it comes to eclat : You will no longer continue with the inspectors of donors – the so-called troika – work together Varoufakis is on record. Instead, the Greek debt Calls for an international conference. Dijsselbloem looks waxy, in the matter remains hard: “There is already such a conference, and the euro’s group.” Moreover, Greece should keep its promises (which include the approval of the Troika controls).


Sunday, February 1st: Warm words in Paris

  counterpart Varoufakis, Sapin: Legitimate concerns
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REUTERS

counterpart Varoufakis, Sapin: Legitimate concerns

Paris is well known, always worth a visit – and on this visit in the French capital, Giannis Varoufakis likely to have particularly pleased. Finally, we situate the socialist government as an ally in the fight against austerity and for negotiations on a haircut.

According to the friendly reception no comparison falls through counterpart Michel Sapin also, to meet the Dutch Dijsselbloem. However, substantial Sapin can not give to his guest. They wanted to help with donors in the search for an agreement.




Tuesday, February 3: haircut is now rescheduling

  counterpart Varoufakis, Osborne in London: Details in non-euro partners
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Getty Images

counterpart Varoufakis, Osborne in London: Details in non-Euro Partners

In an interview with the “Financial Times” – due to his official visit to the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Osborne – specifies the new Greek finance his claims: He did not want a “haircut” demand more, because this term in countries such as Germany was politically unacceptable. Instead, he wanted to reschedule debts, including bonds, perpetual or those whose repayment is linked to economic growth.

In other words: Varoufakis Calls also a haircut, but does not want to call it that. In Brussels, you are not pleased, also a question of style – after all Varoufakis has just chosen the capital of the non-euro member Britain to present his proposals.

After all – the new government makes clear pragmatism in doubt in preference to ideology about: You would stick to the commitment to achieve a primary surplus, promises Varoufakis. Although it would have to be broken election promises.




Tuesday, February 3rd: Bella Figura in Rome – but not much else

  Government Tsipras, Renzi in Rome: Meeting of the Euro-rock stars
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REUTERS

Government Tsipras, Renzi in Rome: Meeting of the Euro-rock stars

His finance minister is already for days on tour – starts Alexis Tsipras his tour: The head of government is equipping Cyprus on Monday a short visit and then fly on to Rome. There will be a meeting of the two current rock stars of European politics: Prime Minister Matteo Renzi as Tsipras 40 years old, both dominate the sovereign as well as informal public appearance.

Accordingly, convincing her Show : It is no longer the most dangerous Left in Europe, quips Renzi. Italian Prime Minister assures Tsipras “maximum support” to speak of a “chance for agreement with the EU institutions”.

Aside from the Wortgeklingels makes Renzi, however, also clear that Greece keep what it has promised. Not necessarily what Tsipras might have hoped.

Wednesday, February 4: fashionable in Brussels

 Tsipras, EU Commission President Juncker: & quot; We respect the rules & quot;
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AFP

Tsipras, EU Commission President Juncker: “We respect the rules”

The day after the fiery meeting with Matteo Renzi in Rome Brussels looks grayer. And remains of Tsipras visits to the EU-tip – Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker, head of Parliament Martin Schulz, President Donald Tusk – one thing in mind: The underlined softness of the Greek Government. “We respect the rules of the EU.” They want to repair this framework may tear. At the end’ve been in the history of the EU so far always been the compromise.

gentle tone comes in Brussels good. Juncker held himself back with commitments to Tsipras. You could talk about the composition of the Troika – not surprising proposal, as Juncker, the Panel sees itself known skeptical. The stimulus words “debt haircut” or “Debt Conference” not even fall in Brussels


Wednesday, February 4th. Lukewarm reception in Paris

  Tsipras, Hollande in Paris: No ally against the austerity plan
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AFP

Tsipras, Hollande in Paris: No ally against the austerity plan

Really big should the hopes Tsipras not have been more to have with French President found the crucial allies against Merkel’s austerity measures in Europe – even after the fiery Italian Renzi, the revolution did not like to connect. Even if François Hollande still seemed so right after the election in Greece, as will now everything is different.

In fact, Hollande proved at the meeting in Paris as Mahner . The commitments in relation to the national debt and European rules must be respected, he summoned Tsipras before the assembled press.




Wednesday, February 4: Draghi nasty surprise

  Varoufakis ahead of ECB headquarters in Frankfurt: Not informed about the decision
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DPA

Varoufakis ahead of ECB headquarters in Frankfurt: informed Not about the decision

Even more sobering than for his boss Tsipras runs Wednesday for Finance Varoufakis. Although Germany initially did not stand on his itinerary, he now comes in two cities.

The first makes Frankfurt, the ECB headquarters, Counterpart: Central Bank chief Mario Draghi. Result: devastating. Finally Varoufakis wanted to get permission to take 15 billion euros to borrow as far 25 billion euros over short-term bonds (T-bills) in the financial market. But Draghi refuses.

In the evening, bad news for the Greeks: The Governing Council decides not to accept Greek government bonds from 11 February as collateral for a new central bank money. Finally, it is not certain that the troika can check the austerity program successfully. Now it is for the Greek banks harder to refinance, the pressure rises to Athens


Thursday, February 5. In the Belly of the Beast

 Finance Minister Schäuble, Varoufakis: & quot; We Agreed to disagree & quot;
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AFP

Finance Minister Schäuble, Varoufakis: “We Agreed to disagree”

The final highlight of the trip to Europe Giannis Varoufakis’ is the meeting with German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble in Berlin – also arranged at short notice. It runs as could be expected: In dealing friendly in tone clear in the matter of controversy. “We Agreed to disagree,” Schäuble begins the subsequent press conference. Varoufakis contradicts immediately: Do not even think about it you have to reach agreement.

A haircut – or debt restructuring – either way, was not even talking point, they both say. However, the Finance Minister had apparently enough to talk. Their conversation lasted nearly two hours instead of an hour. More time will Varoufakis for his government: They wanted reforms were working on a program – but you need a few months time.




Thursday, February 5: At home the lion roars best

  Tsipras before SYRIZA MPs in Athens: At home, the number one
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AP

Tsipras before SYRIZA MPs in Athens: At home, the number one

While Varoufakis in Berlin bites at Schäuble on granite, Tsipras likely to feel much more comfortable in Athens: Parliament is opened where he is the undisputed number one. In a speech to the SYRIZA MPs, the Prime Minister from the diplomatic soft voice switches declarations of war to “Greece will not accept any more orders,” railed Tsipras, let alone by e Mail – a dig at the technocrats of the Troika.

However, it is worthwhile to listen carefully: He’ll keep election promises to negotiate the debt, says Tsipras – output implicitly open. And by the way Greece will hold its promise . Much has remained of the gaudy advertising the first few days no more.

And now? A breather is Tsipras and Varoufakis not their euro roadshow. Next week going discussions and haggling continues: On Thursday, the EU summit held in Brussels. Also present: Chancellor Angela Merkel and Alexis Tsipras.

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