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The new finance minister of Greece Yannis Stournaras vowed on Saturday that the country will implement the necessary reforms and privatization plan set out in the last bailout, said Monday. This is seen as an attempt to return the confidence of international partners. In his first speech since becoming Minister of Finance, Stournaras reiterated the government’s plan to request two-year extension for implementing the anti-crisis measures being justified by a deeper than expected recession. But he also warned that persuading the international Troika of creditors – the EU, IMF and the ECB to give more money to Greece is very difficult.
Attracting international capital
“The privatization program aims to attract considerable international capital will be invested mainly in public works and infrastructure,” said Stournaras in parliament on the second day of debate on the political platform of government. According to government plans will be given 28 privatizations of state companies, including gas and water supply, the former Athens airport and other airports in the country harbors for yachts State Railways and the sale or lease of public property 28. At a later stage can begin privatization of the Greek Public Power Corporation, added Stournaras.
Marked “sold”
The plans were welcomed without criticism. The leader of main opposition party Coalition of Radical Left (SYRIZA) Alexis Tsipras accused tripartite coalition that wants to sell the cheap Greek resources and public companies. “The political platform of the Prime Minister is not nothing but a sign” For Sale “placed on Greece,” said Tsipras in parliament. He extended a special warning to those who want to “grab the cheap state property” that can lose all your money and be brought to justice.
Evangelos Venizelos, Greek Socialist leader and former finance minister, whose party PASOK is part of the governing coalition, attacked Tsipras proposal for a moratorium of payments, saying it would be tantamount to a declaration of bankruptcy of the state. “The country can not bear more demagoguery,” said Venizelos.