Spiegel: Samaras “freezes” cuts because of summer

A wonderful photo of Halkidiki is featured today on the main page of the electronic version of German magazine Spiegel on a story about Greece and titled, "Concern for the Holidays: Greece “freezes” cuts for a summer break.”

The magazine describes the situation in Greece as a summer nightmare played in front of millions of tourists. Angry demonstrations and strikes in view of the layoffs of thousands of public sector workers undermine the image of the "center of the world."

"Politically sensitive decisions should not be taken during the summer"
The article says that Antonis Samaras will ask Troika for a new extension on layoffs, for fear of significant damages to the tourism sector, and that he is trying and wants to personally convey this concern to the representatives of Greece’s international creditors.

Samaras will try to allay the troika fears and insist that summer is not the right time to create social tensions.

The story continues by saying that around 17 million visitors are expected to enjoy the beauties of Greece, of which 2.5 million will come from Germany. "A successful holiday season is vital to overturn the situation, aa for the sixth consecutive year, the Greek economy is in recession."

Spiegel speaks of the troika’s presence these days in Athens as well, for the scheduled audit. "By mid-June, the experts will examine the extent of the Greek government’s implementation of the agreed reforms. Especially the public sector reform and related layoffs that are always a very difficult issue."

Lastly, it says that so far only 99 perjurer civil servants have been laid off and little has been done despite repeated commitments to streamline the public sector.