Greek deputy finance minister quits over debt deal
Greece’s deputy finance minister has resigned ahead of a parliamentary vote on a bailout deal struck between Athens and creditors, saying she cannot support the tough austerity reforms demanded by eurozone lenders.
Nadia Valavani stepped down on Wednesday, sending a resignation letter to Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.
“I’m not going to vote for this amendment and this means I cannot stay in the government,” Valavani told reporters.
On Monday, Tsipras agreed to a deal with Greece’s creditors, under which Athens must get the parliament to approve harsh austerity measures in return for the start of negotiations on a third bailout of about EUR 85 billion (USD 93 billion).
Greece received two bailouts in 2010 and 2012 worth a total of EUR 240 billion (USD 272 billion) from its troika of international lenders -- the European Commission, the International Monetary Fund, the European Central Bank -- following the 2009 economic crisis.
Valavani’s resignation comes as Greek lawmakers are debating the economic reforms. They need to approve the austerity measures in the deal by the end of the day in order for the eurozone bailout deal to go ahead.
The Greek premier must pass legislation by Wednesday night to ensure the planned deal goes through.
On July 6, the country’s outspoken Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis stepped down a day after Greeks delivered a resounding “No” in a nationwide referendum to the conditions of a rescue package for the debt-ridden country.
Varoufakis announced his resignation on Twitter, saying he was told that some members of the eurozone considered him unwelcome at meetings of finance ministers.
Tsipras’ left-wing government had long battled against the economic measures. Athens had refused to agree to the tough reforms before the referendum, arguing that the continuation of the bailout should be aimed at helping the country’s devastated economy without the enforcement of additional austerity measures.
Meanwhile, with in-fighting reported within Tsipras’ Syriza party, hints of a reshuffle and even talk of the resignation of the premier himself have abounded in the press.
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