Press Review June 6: Musical (electric) chairs

The government reshuffle is to focus on key positions in the economic governance of the country; a ‘new memorandum’ sees additional tax burdens on Greeks; what Stournaras and Lagarde discussed in Paris; the top tax official in the country is ousted despite opposition from Brussels; and country homes sell for bargain-bin prices to foreign buyers. Image credit: Ta Nea newspaper.

The Press Project
6 Ιουνίου 2014 | 10:01:04

	TA NEA Musical (electric) chairs The economic committee, divine salvation and the orphans of the reshuffle: Haris Theocharis: [the ousted general secretary of the revenue service] Yiannis Stournaras: [the Finance Minister who is expected to be replaced. Speculation sees Stournaras in line for the Bank of Greece governorship] Giorgos Provopoulos: [the Bank of Greece governor whose term is expiring] Christos Staikouras: the Deputy Finance Minster Stavros Papastavrou: close aide to PM Samaras – was considered a potential successor to Stournaras but his prospects appear to have cooled.]
	DIMOKRATIA The new memorandum Talk of a potential elimination of the emergency tax proves to be pre election spin The emergency property tax (haratsi) remains in place based on ‘objective’ house prices that do not exist. But auctions and seizures are to be accelerated for debts to the state!
	KATHIMERINI What Lagarde – Stournaras discussed in Paris They met on Tuesday The head of the International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde, and the fund’s representative in Greece, Poul Thomsen, me with the Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras during his mysterious lighting-trip to Paris on Tuesday. Together with him was the PM’s close aide Stavros Papastavrou. The basic topic of the unofficial meeting were the negotiations which are likely to begin in the immediate future with the country’s creditors over a restructuring of Greece’s debt. Additionally the handling of potential funding gaps which may arise were discussed and the resumption of the Fund’s disbursement of loan installments. During the meeting also discussed was the report prepared by IMF officials about Greece which was not released to the public yesterday as had originally been planned. The delay came about due to a request from Greece for certain figures to be re-examined which were not correct.
	ELEFTHEROS TYPOS Theocharis ousted despite ‘blocking’ from Brussels Samaras begins the reshuffle from the revenue secretariat The ouster of Haris Theocharis heralds the government's decision for a change in tax policy. The behind the scenes dealings that led to the Prime Minister’s explosion and the heated exchanges in the ministry. Theocharis: “I didn’t take the measures, I am not a sacrificial victim.”
	IMERISIA 50,000 country homes for sale at half price There is intense interest from Russian, Chinese, European and American buyers in the vacation home market on the islands, in Halkidiki and the Peloponnese. The low prices are attracting investors.