GrexIt

Dear Mr. Stiglitz,

It was an unpleasant surprise to hear that you participated along with other US academics in preparing a plan for Greece to exit the euro in 2015. The feeling was even harder, since you still believe that it was "carefully set" and seem rather disappointed for not finally implemented.

Η Eurobank πούλησε 180 επαγγελματικά ακίνητα

In "The Colossus of Maroussi," Henry Miller's book about Greece, he described Lawrence Durrell as "English despite himself, [and] in a quandary." Like Durrell, I have lived most of my life outside England and I too am in a quandary: I am pro-European in many respects, yet, having been born and educated in London I retain a strong sense of what it means to be English. Not British - English.

For once Europe has an exit to celebrate rather than dread. On Monday, more than eight years after its first eurozone bailout, Greece left its third financial rescue program. This is a welcome Grexit, but before popping open the champagne it's important to remember that Athens remains in thrall to its European creditors, who have failed to put the Greek economy on a sustainable footing.

Can we become a normal country? On paper, it appears the practical answer to this would be yes, of course we can. Greece does not have very pressing financial obligations between now and 2019. Grexit has been consigned to the closet of history.

According to an unidentified economic expert of the Greek economy who spoke on the side of the 2nd Delfi Economic Forum, an agreement must be reached as soon as possible, since in May it will be too late.

This is what Economist’s Simon Baptist has to say about the possibility of a Grexit:

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A recently published report by the German institute Sentix reveals that Greece is no longer considered the most likely country to leave the Eurozone. According to its survey of over 1000 investors and analysts, Italy now occupies first place.

German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble brought up indirectly the Grexit issue speaking at an event in Hamburg.

Mr. Schaeuble expressed the view that Greeks would have suffered only once because of a Grexit avoiding this “endless painful process” and the “tough measures” that Greek people are now experiencing.

Spiegel magazine notes that the danger of Greece exiting euro zone still exists after SYRIZA’s win in Sunday’s election, but it’s not Alexis Tsipras who should take full responsibility for that.

The likelihood  of a Grexit increased after the elections, according to the German magazine noting that it depends on factors that cannot be handled by the government.

In an interview to German Handeslblatt French Finance Minister Michel Sapin blasted his German counterpart Wolfgang Schauble on his plan for a temporary Grexit. Sapin points out that Schauble is in the wrong on the Greek issue, adding “…he contradicts his own will for Europe”.