Privatizations The Initial Focus of Troika Negotiations
2012-07-04 11:40:39
Privatizations and cuts in public expenses that will avert a new wave of taxes will spearhead short-term government policy, according to sources close to Prime Minister Antonis Samaras.
The troika, which is seen starting a new round of assessment of the implementation of the bailout program on Thursday, is considered certain to give priority to privatizations and the closure of idle public agencies. The government is therefore speeding up the privatization of the rolling-stock subsidiary of Hellenic Railways (TRAINOSE), subsidiaries of ATEbank, gaming firm OPAP, the Public Gas Corporation, Hellenic Petroleum and Hellenic Post.
Samaras, who is still convalescing from an eye operation, has notified ministers that all paid ministry committees and special secretariats, except the financial investigations squad (SEE), are abolished with a view to cost cutting and putting the state apparatus in order. Any indispensible committees will be reconstituted from scratch.
The prime minister is due to meet the leaders of the other two parties that participate in the coalition government, Pasok’s Evangelos Venizelos and Democratic Left’s Fotis Kouvelis tomorrow, in view of negotiations with the troika and the government’s policy statement.
Samaras and finance minister Giannis Stournaras will have an initial meeting with the troika on Thursday.