After the new requests of the Greek Prime Minister, Alexis Tsipras, Athens is expected to receive a “yes” and a “no” from Jeroen Dijsselbloem.
The Greek side asked a) for an extension on the existing program and b) for a new program that will be followed for the next two years and it will be funded from ESM and not the IMF. Regarding the first request, a source from the Eurogroup explained that an extension period will of the program will not be granted, as the current program is considered to be over. The same source added that the last chance for granting such a request was on Saturday. “The same night that the program expires, the Eurogroup is practically out of jurisdiction when it comes to bypassing the procedure and renewing a program” said an official of the Eurogroup. Regarding the second request of the Greek side, officials of the Eurogroup said that they will probably begin to examine the request. This procedure, as a first step needs to clarify if Greece needs and is qualified for the program. If the ministers agree, then any decision made must be validated by parliaments, such as the German Parliament. Once the validation by the parliaments is done, negotiations will begin. Earlier, officials in Brussels stated that they view the latest proposal by the Greek government as a maneuver technique, since it does not apply with two basic terms which have been set by the President of the Commission, Mr.Juncker. 1. Acceptance of the last proposal made by the institutions, which was published on Sunday. 2. Support “Yes” on Sunday’s referendum