09 January 2013

DW: Samaras optimistic about Greek progress

A year ago, Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras was considered persona non grata in Berlin. His rejection of the reform programs in his days as opposition leader had isolated him in Europe. But ever since he became prime minister last summer, the tide has turned. Samaras' willingness to accept international lenders' reform proposals and his ability to push these through Parliament have earned him a great deal of credit abroad.

It is thus no coincidence that Samaras and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have met three times within the last six months. Merkel's implicit message on her visit to Athens in October was that Greece has made progress in implementing its reforms. The troika of international creditors came to the same conclusion in its interim report and further credit payments to Greece were authorised.

But there is still much to do in Greece. Many reforms have yet to be decided on and implemented. This was not discussed publicly in Berlin, especially as the German chancellor and the Greek prime minister preferred not to speak to the press after their meeting, but rather beforehand, in a series of short statements. Observers suspect this was an indication that things were not as harmonious behind the scenes.

Merkel's statements might appear to confirm this interpretation. In her previous meeting with Samaras she had spoken of progress in Greece, but this time she said only that she was "naturally interested  in how the continuation of the Greek reform program is making progress." She then immediately added that in her talks with Samaras, she would report on economic developments in Germany, because Germany, too, "must make every effort to ensure economic growth and thus job security."

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