ELEFTHEROTYPIA

A shadow state in the Prime Minister’s mansion

The revealing audio-visual document of the conversation between Takis Baltakos and Ilias Kasidiaris are reminiscent of the dark days of the post war period when the government, working closely with the far-right shadow state, was raping the republic and oppressing the Greek people.

The close co-worker of Antonis Samaras and government General Secretary Takis Baltakos, demonstrating an excessive familiarity with Golden Dawn’s number 2, Ilias Kasidiaris, debased the PM, his ministers, the government and the justice system while at the same time is making threats, stating, “at [the PM’s mansion of] Maximou they knew of all of my contacts with Golden Dawn.”

The consequences for the Prime Minister and his marginal majority of 152 MPs are serious and can not be dealt with through the awkward and negligent defensive tactic of Maximou that, “Samaras was ignorant and Baltakos had a personal agenda.” PASOK has also been caught flat footed where although the the removal of Baltakos was demanded immediately, PM George Papandreou and other MPs have directly raised the question of protecting the Republic.

 

 

KATHIMERINI

The 11 billion euros of the HFSH to be used for debt reduction

Following a successful two days of meetings during which the Eurogroup approved the release of the 8.3 billion euro loan tranche , Finance Minister Giannis Stournaras declared that now is the appropriate time to return to the markets, announcing that Greece will be issuing a 5-year bond in the near future. The return on 10-year bonds yesterday was marginally above 6%. Additionally he said that it is necessary for the remaining 11 billion euros of the Hellenic Financial Stability Funds – following the stress tests of the European Central Bank –  to be made available to reduce the debt and to cover a potential funding gap.

NAFTEMPORIKI

Contacts with foreign institutions for an imminent return to the markets

The die has been cast with regards to Greece’s return to the markets and the Public Debt Management Agency is in contact with Greek and foreign banks for the first issuance in four years which is expected to take place even by the end of April. The PDMA is accepting offers for the issuance which will most likely be consortial which offers more security on the issue of interest, while through the contacts is attempting to keep down the interest rate as much as possible. According to the Finance Minister Giannis Stournaras, the upcoming issuance will by a trial while there is the possibility that there will be a subsequent bond issuance within the year if conditions allow it. Sources within the banking sector report that Greek banks will also take part. The returns on Greek bonds have fallen to pre-crisis levels. The 10-year bonds fell to a four-year low of 6.1% with the price at 79 cents and the spread from the German rate falling to 454 base points. 

EFIMERIDA TON SYNTAKTON

40% less state

A public sector reduced by 40% will be turned over by the Minister of Administrative reform, Kyriakos Mitsotakis. New organizational charts are being drawn. Ceilings on the number of employees are being established as are permanent mechanisms for re-assignments and layoffs. 

AVGI

Amnesty International: Racism, violence, and a culture of immunity have taken root in the Greek police

The international organisation attributes blame to the government, charging that the police tolerates the activity of xenophobic groups and that instead of maintaining law and order it was tasked with the suppression of protests.