MEGA TV

Alternate Citizen Protection Minister Yiannis Panousis spoke of a “three-party government” when commenting on the rift withing the ruling Radical Left Coalition government. He added that, in light of developments, he “sees” elections in September or October in an interview with private MEGA TV on Friday.

Radical Left Coaltion (SYRIZA) Economy Minister George Stathakis said he’s confident that the EU partners will approve of Greece’s reform plans. Speaking on private MEGA TV, he warned that SYRIZA MPs who disagree should resign.

Louka Katseli, Chair of the Greek Banking Association, told private SKAI TV that if there is no solution to Greece receiving Emergency Liquidity Assistance (ELA) from the European Central Bank, then Greek banks would have a problem by Monday.

Labor Minister Panos Skourletis told private MEGA TV on Friday that the creditors’ stance is a call for the people’s suicide.

Economy Minister George Stathakis told private MEGA TV on Wednesday that the Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) government “achieved the most balaned agreement (with creditors) taking into account the circumstances.”

The minister said that “lenders initially demanded direct pension and wage cuts and an overall VAT hike in certain categories.”

A crucial 48 hours of deliberations ahead of an extraordinary Euro summit on Monday begins with the return of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras from St. Petersburg. A three-hour briefing of Tsipras began at 2 p.m. on Saturday soon after his arrival to Greece. He met with Deputy Prime Minister Giannis Dragasakis followed by Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis and Economy Minister George Stathakis.

Alternate Finance Minister Dimitris Mardas on Wednesday said that Greece aims to pay its obligations on time based on the data it has available. He made the statement in an interview with private MEGA TV in response to a question as to whether the government will pay the ‘bundled’ amount of installments to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) at the end of the month.

The GPO Opinion Poll held by GPO for private MEGA TV found that 67.8% of Greeks predict a compromise with concessions from the Greek side in order to seal a deal in painful negotiations with Greece’s creditors from the European Commission, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund.

Alternate Foreign Minister for European Affairs Nikos Chountis stressed the need for a comprehensive agreement with partners and Greece’s international creditors during statements he made to private MEGA TV on Monday. He added that this deal should also include debt reduction.

A frenzy of negotiations between Greece and its international creditors from the European Commission, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund over the last 24 hours is aimed at clinching a deal.