Kathimerini: PM approves austerity package, Stournaras to brief coalition leaders

26 September 2012

Prime Minister Antonis Samaras has approved a package of €11.5 billion in spending cuts presented to him by Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras.

Stournaras is due to meet the other two coalition partners, PASOK’s Evangelos Venizelos and Democratic Left’s Fotis Kouvelis, on Wednesday to discuss the reductions, as well as €2 billion worth of new tax measures.

The government had fallen short in its discussions with the troika last week after inspectors rejected some €2 billion of reductions presented by the Greek side. An agreement among coalition leaders would pave the way for the troika to return to Athens in order to conclude an agreement on the latest package, needed to secure the release of further bailout funding.

The package contains major cuts to public sector wages, pensions and benefits. It also includes an increase in the retirement age from 65 to 67. It does not, however, propose immediate mass sackings in the civil service, relying instead on retirements and limits on hirings to reduce numbers.

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© Kathimerini