State support cannot last for long

State revenues were 20% below target last month, according to the Finance Ministry's latest data, forcing it to revise its plans on the side of caution.

Senior ministry sources say it will implement only "slightly more measures" for the support of workers and enterprises, as the most likely scenario now points to a delay in the country's emergence from the support framework beyond April.

The fiscal margin for further market support is limited. As Minister Christos Staikouras privately says, the government will continue to assist the market, but will not be able to cover all the additional needs that emerge.

The ministry is now anxiously counting the days and the weeks during which it can continue paying for furloughs, rents and all the measures used to date for the economy's protection shield. Asked how long the budget will be able to stand the pressure of a...