Greece – darn triad – Süddeutsche.de

Greece is again a top priority: Merkel, Lagarde and Tsipras arguing over aid for the country. A document published by Wikileaks call the IMF shows how at odds the donors are.

From Cerstin Gammelin and Mike Szymanski , Berlin / Istanbul

Angela Merkel phoned Alexis Tsipras. Alexis Tsipras has written Christine Lagarde, Christine Lagarde met with Wolfgang Schäuble. Ten months after the signing of the third Greek loan program of the controversy over its fulfillment regains boardrooms.

Essentially, it is in all the discussions about whether it will be possible Greece to pay the next loan installment without that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has previously guaranteed under Lagarde its role therein. The situation is similar to the in a complex love triangle. Chancellor Merkel has linked the payment of additional German financial aid to Athens to the contribution from the Fund. Even Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble knows that he will hardly get once the approval of the Bundestag to further loans without a commitment.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras wants contrast rid the funds prefer. The IMF is hated by the Greek citizens. As for the reforms his country imposed, the Fund is regarded as particularly severe. Double charging as indicated by the current refugee crisis hardly soften him, he insists on clear budgetary requirements. On the other hand, the IMF’s ally when it comes to the discussion to enter debt relief. The demands of the IMF as Tsipras. However, the payback is the Premier too high.

IMF chief Christine Lagarde in turn would contribute to funds already for reasons of prestige on the third loan program, but it can not because it doubts the debt sustainability of the country. She urges Europeans therefore to further debt relief. IMF Europe chief Poul Thomsen sees Merkel on train, come to a decision: “We say, ‘Look, Mrs. Merkel, you are faced with the question what is more expensive: Without further make the IMF – would accept the Bundestag that the IMF is not onboard? Or choose debt relief, of which we think that Greece needs to keep us on board? ‘ “.

This consideration of IMF Europe chief indeed makes clear to Berlin. but it has the disadvantage that it does not come from a public statement, but from a leaked conversation which was made public at the weekend about the Wikileaks.

Since then know the Greeks, as Thomsen and his team think they may be able to reach decisions in their favor. Thomsen complains therefore that Athens had been admitted only in acute bankruptcy risk on savings targets: “In the past there was only one time, at which the decision was taken; that was when they seriously ran out of money and they stood before the default. ” And the Greek IMF representative Delia Velculescu – his interlocutor – replied: “I agree that we need an event (event).” In the Greek Government therefore the impression was allegedly caused, the IMF might be right every means to reach the goal. On weekends gathered Tsipras familiars. He put a letter to Lagarde, in which he demanded enlightenment and Athens government sources said logged doubts Thomsen.

For Wolfgang Schäuble is the leaked report “nonexistent”

The Greek media speculate whether Tsipras will seize the opportunity to force out the IMF. He has previously been tried and only relented when he Berlin has made it clear that does not run that way. Anyway, the excitement is now on all pages in size.

Both Berlin and Washington responded unusually harsh. Schaeuble’s spokesman said on Monday, the protocol was for him because of apparent violation of privacy “nonexistent”. In unusually undiplomatic form IMF chief Lagarde rebuked Premier Tsipras. Any speculation about the Fund might want to deliberately cause a nearly went bankrupt dramatically indebted country, were “simply nonsense,” Lagarde said in a letter to Tsipras. They lead no negotiations with “threats”.

Moreover, she demanded that her people in Greece could work without that secret talks were made public. Who has the internal discussion, on the European Director Thomsen and Greek IMF representative Delia Velculescu participated recorded, was also on Monday clarified.

This Monday should include representatives of the so-called troika of the IMF, EU -Commission and the European Central Bank to travel to Athens to check the implementation of the comprehensive total of 84 billion euro third loan program. The Federal Ministry of Finance is confident that despite the disputes arising from the fact that over the next four weeks agreement between Greece and the lenders is reached on the status of implementation of the program. “We think it is realistic, hinzukriegen the conclusion to the Greek Easter,” said Schäuble spokesman. At the same time, he stressed, “a haircut is not the moment to debate”. It sounds to require the chiefs more often talking about.