Targets for troika review move back onto agenda
With Greece and its lenders seemingly finding common ground on how to conclude the country’s bailout at the end of the year, attention is now due to switch to the conclusion of the latest troika review of the Greek program.
The review is currently on hold and the European Commission, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund are waiting for the government to declare its intentions on several key issues that are still outstanding, such as pension reform and further changes to labor regulations.
Government sources told Kathimerini that the coalition is confident it can convince the troika to shelve plans for new changes to the pensions system. “We have a new legal framework that will apply from January 1… what is the point of making hasty interventions now when such changes take decades in other countries?” said a government official.
The coalition remains torn over changes to union regulations and measures that would make mass dismissals more straightforward. PASOK is opposed to tinkering with this legislation.
There are also several pending issues that relate to the public administration. These include a new wage structure, completing civil servants’ evaluation and meeting the sacking targets agreed with the troika.
