The co-chair of the European Greens parliamentary group blames Tsipras' referendum, but - he adds - creditors haven't been wise
by Emanuele Bonini
In any case a negotiating table is need, because «if there is no negotiation there will be a default». The co-chair of the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament, Philippe Lamberts, has no doubts. Whatever can be the outcome of the referendum in Greece, the two sides will have to restart negotiations. It won't be easy because the prime minister of Greece, Alexis Tsipras, is trusted by no one, even though creditors have their responsibilities as well.
Mr Lamberts, should Alexis Tsipras resign in case the Greeks will vote YES?
«I think it would be logical. The only logical scenario would be to resign and convene new elections, working to develop a way to remain within the Euro zone».
With new elections, who would be entitled to negotiate? A technocratic government, as suggested by Martin Schulz?
«I think Greece has the right to hold a referendum, and I find unacceptable what he said».
Given the fact the president of the European Commission campaigned for YES, should Jean-Claude Juncker resign in case the Greeks will vote NO?
«This referendum is not a choice between Tsipras and Juncker. This referendum is a decision on the conditions set by creditors».
What can we expect with a NO? A Grexit?
«I think we can expect a renegotiation within the Euro zone. But we haven't to omit a factor: humiliation. The creditors wanted to humiliate Greece, and if the conditions remain unchanged, we cannot exclude that Greece can decide to leave the Euro».
Juncker and the president of the Eurogroup said in case of victory Tsipras' position will be no stronger. On the contrary, it would be weaker. Do you agree?
Yes. Calling a referendum made all more complicated. Of course in case of victory Tsipras will have to renegotiate the debt within the Euro zone, but a solution is possible only if there is political will. Creditors had the impression Tsipras never wanted to reach an agreement, and I think he will have problems even in case of a victory. Both a NO scenario and a YES scenario are critical. The question now is to choose the lesser evil. If I were a Greek, I wouldn't know what to do.
Can we imagine a third program without the IMF, as proposed by Tsipras by asking an ESM financial assistance?
There is no way out with the IMF. They are creditors now, and creditors should be wise. Generally creditors act in order to have the loans repaid, but this was not the case of Greece. The IMF said that a debt restructuring was needed. The Greek debt restructuring took place in 2012, but it was not enough and it arrived two years later than the need. Then we saw the IMF say "we need a debt restructuring at my conditions", while the other said "we don't need a debt restructuring but new conditions". If creditors had proposed a debt restructuring, Greece would have accepted.
Was the referendum a right decision?
The referendum made the situation worse, and we are where we are.
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| Philippe Lamberts |
In any case a negotiating table is need, because «if there is no negotiation there will be a default». The co-chair of the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament, Philippe Lamberts, has no doubts. Whatever can be the outcome of the referendum in Greece, the two sides will have to restart negotiations. It won't be easy because the prime minister of Greece, Alexis Tsipras, is trusted by no one, even though creditors have their responsibilities as well.
Mr Lamberts, should Alexis Tsipras resign in case the Greeks will vote YES?
«I think it would be logical. The only logical scenario would be to resign and convene new elections, working to develop a way to remain within the Euro zone».
With new elections, who would be entitled to negotiate? A technocratic government, as suggested by Martin Schulz?
«I think Greece has the right to hold a referendum, and I find unacceptable what he said».
Given the fact the president of the European Commission campaigned for YES, should Jean-Claude Juncker resign in case the Greeks will vote NO?
«This referendum is not a choice between Tsipras and Juncker. This referendum is a decision on the conditions set by creditors».
What can we expect with a NO? A Grexit?
«I think we can expect a renegotiation within the Euro zone. But we haven't to omit a factor: humiliation. The creditors wanted to humiliate Greece, and if the conditions remain unchanged, we cannot exclude that Greece can decide to leave the Euro».
Juncker and the president of the Eurogroup said in case of victory Tsipras' position will be no stronger. On the contrary, it would be weaker. Do you agree?
Yes. Calling a referendum made all more complicated. Of course in case of victory Tsipras will have to renegotiate the debt within the Euro zone, but a solution is possible only if there is political will. Creditors had the impression Tsipras never wanted to reach an agreement, and I think he will have problems even in case of a victory. Both a NO scenario and a YES scenario are critical. The question now is to choose the lesser evil. If I were a Greek, I wouldn't know what to do.
Can we imagine a third program without the IMF, as proposed by Tsipras by asking an ESM financial assistance?
There is no way out with the IMF. They are creditors now, and creditors should be wise. Generally creditors act in order to have the loans repaid, but this was not the case of Greece. The IMF said that a debt restructuring was needed. The Greek debt restructuring took place in 2012, but it was not enough and it arrived two years later than the need. Then we saw the IMF say "we need a debt restructuring at my conditions", while the other said "we don't need a debt restructuring but new conditions". If creditors had proposed a debt restructuring, Greece would have accepted.
Was the referendum a right decision?
The referendum made the situation worse, and we are where we are.
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