European leaders have already extended a helping hand to Athens to facilitate reforms and forming a right-wing pro-euro government. Berlin sent a signal emphasizing its flexibility, usually uncompromising, on the reforms needed to strengthen the competitiveness of Greek economy during the crisis.
“I would imagine we will discuss again the deadlines” for implementation of the reform program negotiated by Athens with the European Union and International Monetary Fund in exchange for its financial rescue, said German Foreign Minister, Guido Westerwelle. He stressed that Greece had a “political paralysis in recent weeks because of the elections”. “Ordinary citizens should not be victims, especially those who already suffered drastic cuts,” said Westerwelle, adding that there is no other way than making the reforms.
In Belgium, the former finance minister Didier Reynders said also that there is “a margin of possible dialogue regarding the timing of implementation” of the memorandum signed between Athens and its creditors. “Europeans must accompany the Greeks to economic growth, it takes discipline but there is also hope,” said French Finance Minister, Pierre Moscovici.
The British Government said, in turn, that is willing to work with the next Greek cabinet, “whatever that will be.” European leaders, who do not hide their preference for the right leader Antonis Samaras, were more relaxed after his victory against radical leftist leader Alexis Tsipras. Samaras appears able to form, together with three pro-euro parties, a Government of national unity. German Chancellor Angela Merkel called quickly to congratulate him “on the good result.” She said that “she starts from the principle that Greece will meet its European commitments”.
More relaxed after these results that removes the threat of Greece’s exit from the euro area, the Eurogroup “expects lenders to return to Greece as soon as the new government will be installed (…) and get ready for an initial examination of the situation before a second aid plan”. The IMF also announced that it is “prepared to discuss with the new Greek government”, while the European Union President Herman Van Rompuy and the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso promised to help Athens. “We will continue to support Greece,” they said in a joint statement released from Los Cabos (Mexico), where a G20 summit started today.
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