The Minister of Finances Yannis Stournaras spoke to Vima 99.5 FM on Monday morning to address the budget gap in the 2014-2015 period and the proposals from the opposition.
According to the Minister of Finances there will be no new austerity measures, but there will be certain forms in order to decrease the cost of food and energy. Mr. Stournaras also rejected rumors of the troika demanding the ‘sudden death’ of state railroad company OSE.
Mr. Stournaras claimed that the gap is estimated to be 10.5 billion euros, of which 4.5 billion are need in 2014 and 5.5 to 6 billion in 2015. The minister was optimistic that the gap would be covered by a loan from the markets or a new bail out.
When asked about SYRIZA’s proposal of a unilateral debt haircut, Mr. Stournaras responded that Greece would be isolated from the Eurozone “within ten seconds” and accused the Opposition leader of making “ridiculous and dangerous” claims.
The Minister claimed that negotiations are still under way for the future of the defense industries, but did not exclude the possibility of dismissals. Negotiations are still under way for the reduction of the special consumption tax for heating oil.
