Euro Zone Finance Ministers Delay Decision on Greek Bailout

Posted February 10th, 2012 at 12:40 am (UTC-5)
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Greek lawmakers say they have reached an accord on austerity measures demanded by international lenders so the country can secure another bailout, but European finance ministers say the job and spending cuts are not enough.

Following a Thursday night meeting in Brussels, the 17 euro zone finance chiefs added new conditions before Greece gets the group’s approval to secure a new $172 billion bailout package.

Chairman Jean-Claude Juncker said the Greek parliament must approve the current package of austerity measures on Sunday, Greece needs to reduce spending another $430 million this year to meet its deficit targets and, thirdly, Greek political leaders must assure the austerity measures implemented will remain in place after the April elections.

Mr. Juncker says each requirement must be met before the finance ministers make a final decision, which could come at their meeting next Wednesday.

“No disbursement before implementation, because we cannot live with a system where promises are made and repeated and repeated and where the implementation measures are from time to time too weak.”

European leaders have grown impatient with Greece’s protracted negotiations over its debt, with financial analysts voicing fears that a default could plunge the global economy into a new recession. Meanwhile, Greek leaders have faced widespread opposition at home from workers angered by earlier austerity measures. Unions called for more work stoppages on Friday and Saturday to protest the latest budget-cutting plan.

Even with the agreement on more austerity, Greece remains in a precarious financial state. It is in the fifth year of a recession. The government says the country’s unemployment rate is increasing and reached nearly 21 percent in November.