"Discomfort" in the economic team due to Venizelos' and Kouvelis’ stance

On the eve of a new meeting of the political leaders that support the government, political tension is once again heightened. 

A member of the Finance ministry expressed discomfort about PASOK’s criticism on the minister of Finance and the Prime Minister as to the content of the measures, and stressed that it cannot be consumed with public criticism instead of offering a helping hand to Stournaras, all the more so while the measures have been given to them in detail and they have even been called to sit at the table with the Troika.

The answer from Venizelos and Kouvelis’ partners was immediate. They assert that they were never informed in detail about the government's package of measures by anyone in the economic team. PASOK says that they have been informed in detail only about the measures of 5 billion euros.

The Democratic Left admits that they were asked to participate in the Troika negotiations but refused. They note that they made a number of proposals over the summer about achieving equivalent measures.

In an intervention on a television show on Mega Channel, former Finance minister and PASOK MP Philippos Sachinidis confirmed that Stournaras requested his participation in the negotiations. He justified his refusal by saying that the negotiations are carried out by the Finance minister and his colleagues. He also said that the New Democracy is

again  playing the game of the last two years about who is able to negotiate better, and that some ministries are left behind in the implementation of their commitments so the burden once again falls on salaries and pensions.