ND, PASOK see Greek coalition running out of options

Opposition parties rounded on the government on Thursday, accusing it of lacking a strategy in its negotiations with lenders and simply hoping for the best.

New Democracy and PASOK picked up on a comment by State Minister for Coordinating Government Operations Alekos Flambouraris regarding the possibility of a referendum if the coalition is unable to get the deal it wants with creditors as a sign that the SYRIZA-Independent Greeks administration is running out of options.

?Just the thought of holding a referendum is an admission of an impasse,? said New Democracy spokesman Costas Karagounis. ?If they move forward with such an idea, they turn this impasse into a tragedy.?

PASOK was similarly scathing of the government?s handling of bailout negotiations and accused it of banking on the belief that lenders will fear the consequences of a Greek euro exit so much that they will accept Athens?s positions.

?The government thinks it is blackmailing those outside Greece but is actually undermining and weakening those inside Greece,? said the Socialist party, highlighting the difficulties the real economy is facing and the government?s failure to pay suppliers over the last few months.

While New Democracy believes that a Greek euro exit is possible, PASOK thinks Greece will not leave at this stage but will be kept in until the details of a third bailout package have been discussed.