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What's crazy is that EU won't give Greece an extension for the referendum. The negotiations stalled over small issues like if they're going to raise the retirem

by guelo 11y ago

What's crazy is that EU won't give Greece an extension for the referendum. The negotiations stalled over small issues like if they're going to raise the retirement age to 67 in 2022 or 2025. This all seems like political moves, the EU wants to force a failure of the leftist party and make an example of the country.

thesumofall 11y ago
I don't see it the same way. A referendum can be acceptable (but why so late and why behind the backs of the Eurogroup?). But what is not acceptable is that Tsipras is telling the public to vote No. Why would anyone want to extend loans to someone who does not want a deal to come through?
- guelo 11y ago
  The EU is also free to tell the people how to vote, and they've already started doing this. But they don't like populism, they'd rather governments impose austerity via diktat.
- tomp 11y ago
  Tsipras is telling the public that he does not support the agreement. The public will have to decide if they want to avoid the potential negative consequences of no agreement (exit of Euro, EU, ...) more than they dislike the agreement.
raesene9 11y ago
The problem with the extension for the referendum is that it would cost the ECB Billions of Euros in increased ELA support that would need to be provided (without capital controls this week, it's a fair bet that anyone who can get their money out of a greek bank, will get their money out of a greek bank). when you have the ruling party actively campaigning for a No vote, that could be seen as throwing good money after bad, and at the end of the day the other member states will ahve to pick up the tab for any money that is lost if Greece defaults on their debts.
DangerousPie 11y ago
If they just wanted to have a referendum they could have planned this ages ago. Instead they suddenly announced it in the middle of negotiations, without even telling their own delegates. And then they set the date after the deadline and say they will campaign against it themselves. To me this looks like either an attempt to stall for time or an attempt to shift the blame for to the EU, no matter what happens. Why should the EU play along and extend the bailout any longer, throwing more good money after bad?

by guelo 11y ago

thesumofall 11y ago

I don't see it the same way. A referendum can be acceptable (but why so late and why behind the backs of the Eurogroup?). But what is not acceptable is that Tsipras is telling the public to vote No. Why would anyone want to extend loans to someone who does not want a deal to come through?

guelo 11y ago
The EU is also free to tell the people how to vote, and they've already started doing this. But they don't like populism, they'd rather governments impose austerity via diktat.
tomp 11y ago
Tsipras is telling the public that he does not support the agreement. The public will have to decide if they want to avoid the potential negative consequences of no agreement (exit of Euro, EU, ...) more than they dislike the agreement.

raesene9 11y ago

The problem with the extension for the referendum is that it would cost the ECB Billions of Euros in increased ELA support that would need to be provided (without capital controls this week, it's a fair bet that anyone who can get their money out of a greek bank, will get their money out of a greek bank). when you have the ruling party actively campaigning for a No vote, that could be seen as throwing good money after bad, and at the end of the day the other member states will ahve to pick up the tab for any money that is lost if Greece defaults on their debts.

DangerousPie 11y ago

If they just wanted to have a referendum they could have planned this ages ago. Instead they suddenly announced it in the middle of negotiations, without even telling their own delegates. And then they set the date after the deadline and say they will campaign against it themselves. To me this looks like either an attempt to stall for time or an attempt to shift the blame for to the EU, no matter what happens. Why should the EU play along and extend the bailout any longer, throwing more good money after bad?