Euclid Tsakalotos

Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos denied claims by Deputy Labor Minister Tasos Petropoulos that the government was planning to pay a one-off benefit to civil servants and civil service pensioners in the form of an Easter bonus.

Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos on Tuesday did not rule out the retroactive payment of holiday bonuses to civil servants and pensioners, provided the fiscal targets are not affected and the Council of State rules in their favor.

Yesterday's meeting between Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos and Bank of Greece Governor Yannis Stournaras just two days before the European Commission's report on the Greek economy reveals the government's concern over the problems that lie ahead, the most important of which is the looming problem of  non-performing loans (NPLs) that has burdened the banks and the economy in general.

With European Parliament and local authority elections looming in May, and speculation rising about possible early general elections, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is planning a multi-pronged campaign, Kathimerini understands.

What Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos dared to say is the self-evident, at least for democratic countries. He said that in the unlikely and unfortunate event that New Democracy comes to power after the next general election, SYRIZA will support it in efforts to renegotiate the currently very high primary surplus targets agreed to with creditors.

Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos said that SYRIZA and New Democracy should cooperate and forge a common front toward creditors in demanding a reduction of the high, 3.5 percent of GDP primary surplus target, the results of which he said fuel the rise of the far right.

Greece's conservative opposition party said on Thursday it was pleased to hear ruling SYRIZA will support New Democracy's plan to seek a lower primary surplus target if elected in government late this year.

Greek Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos said the government will implement the reforms required by its post-bailout agreement by March 11 so that the country will be able to receive aid from its creditors, according to an interview with CNBC on Wednesday.

Standard & Poor's rating agency affirmed on Friday Greece's credit rating at B+, with a positive outlook, as the market anticipates the first bond issue by Greece after almost a year.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras won a confidence vote in parliament on Jan. 16, clearing a major hurdle for Greece's approval of an accord to end a dispute over Macedonia's name and averting the prospect of a snap election.