Gov’t to argue to keep ban on repossessions

By Evgenia Tzortzi

The issue of extending the foreclosure protection period for financially troubled homeowners struggling with debts will form part of the government’s negotiations with representatives of the country’s international creditors in Athens at the end of the month.

The government has received recommendations to extend the ban on such repossessions for at least one more year with the use of specific criteria and conditions. In fact some of those advising the government have suggested that it should proceed with the extension of the protection period despite the fact that it has not yet secured the troika’s consent.

This issue was not discussed during last week’s meetings between top government officials and Greece’s creditors in Paris, according to Development Ministry sources. Kathimerini understands that it constitutes a particularly sensitive matter for the creditors, so any references to it were avoided as it would have undermined the negotiations on measures to lighten the tax burden on Greek citizens. As things stand, the ban expires at the end of December.