A sweeping bill for the new loan

Evangelos Venizelos is officially assuming broadened responsibilities and the government’s coordinator role for at least two weeks. The aim is to secure the new loan agreement with the favorable terms agreed on October 26.

From now on, all thorny issues and pending matters of other ministries that are to be closed as a prerequisite for the activation of the new loan, will go through him.

According to what was decided in the cabinet meeting yesterday, he is invited to create a sweeping bill that meets all the conditions laid down on October 26 for the new loan and the haircut to the Greek debt. The bill will be the key for the Troika report that will pave the way for the new loan.

The finance minister will have to do the following before the summit on December 8:

- provide a solution for the taxi deregulation

- change everything concerning supplementary pensions

- coordinate the infrastructure and development ministries to start major road works

- release funds by the European Investment Bank and ESPA amounting to 6 billion euros

- unblock the changes in the waste management system, since they have stopped due to lack of funds

Moreover, Venizelos will assume responsibility the extrajudicial settlement with SIEMENS, from which he expects revenues of 200-250 million euros, and also put a stop to the jam that is stalling various projects such as the Metro.

The bill will be presented at the cabinet meeting next Wednesday, and the goal is fo it to be brought to parliament on December 8, in view of the expected passing of the state budget before the summit, where the leaders will discuss the progress and future of Greece.