IMF’s Lagarde in ‘no mood’ to renegotiate Greek deal
International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde is in «no mood» to discuss Greece’s bailout program, she said in an interview on Wednesday, and is more interested in what progress Athens has made in implementing reforms.
«I am not in a negotiation or renegotiation mood at all,» Lagarde said in an interview on CNBC television. «We are in a fact-finding mood.»
Greece’s lenders — the European Commission, European Central Bank and IMF, or the troika — have sent a group of inspectors to Athens to gauge the progress of structural reforms, with top-ranking officials from the troika expected in the Greek capital on Thursday, when they will meet with the leaders of the coalition government.
Prime Minister Antonis Samaras is expected to attempt to convince the troika that Greece can move ahead quickly with the sale of state assets and downsizing of the public sector in return for more favorable bailout terms.
«I?m sure that they will have excellent numbers to show in various directions,» Lagarde said. «I?m very interested in seeing what has been done in the last few months in terms of complying with the program.»
