by Niki Papadogiannakis
Newly minted Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and his bad-cop counterpart Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis have spent the last three weeks stunning Europe and the world.
With support and criticism both internationally and at home, this new Greek duo has pursued the promises of SYRIZA’s campaign:anti-austerity.
Tsipras: “We’re not fighting just for Greek people but for all Europeans that are suffering from undemocratic policy of austerity” #Greece— Kathimerini English (@ekathimerini) February 17, 2015
Following the election of the young leftist SYRIZA party, Tsipras and Varoufakis have been debating the terms of the Greek bailout plan by the Troika (International Monetary Fund, European Union and European Central Bank).
Eurogroup President Jeroen Dijsselbloem looks on as Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis greets IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde (Reuters)
So what’s at stake? Well, Tsipras has yet again expressed his commitment to reducing the austerity measures on the Greek people. In past week, his speeches in the Greek Parliament have been well received and the Greek people have had the first pro-government rallies since the debt crisis began in 2010.
Peaceful anti-austerity rally in Athens attracts thousands (euronews)
The deal with Troika is due for renewal in the next coming days but extending the bailout program under the new Greek government means renegotiation with the strong-willed Varoufakis, sans-austerity– a new challenge for Greece’s European debtors.
Lead photo from FT World
h/t ekathimerini.com, BBC
Niki Papadogiannaki 