Greece has pushed the risk of a "haircut" on bank deposits and Grexit off the table by implementing all its commitments under the latest bailout agreement with international creditors, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said on Monday night.
A few hours after his Left-led coalition government passed on Sunday the latest crunch test in the parliament during the vote on the 2016 state budget, the prime minister granted an interview to state broadcaster ERT.
He hailed as a significant milestone in efforts to overcome the six-year debt crisis and restore growth the recapitalization of Greek banks this December, the third in three years. "There is no more fear of deposit cuts and Grexit," he underlined, dismissing reports in some international media suggesting that Greece was a "rudderless ship" heading towards the rocks.
A German daily cited this week an alleged report of the German embassy in Athens containing the particular description. The report was dismissed from officials in both countries.
Tsipras attributed it to the "never ending efforts of some conservative circles to attack the government." Amidst refueled concern over the stability of his ruling coalition after the recent expulsion of two lawmakers who voted against party line on prior actions for the disbursement of more loans to Athens, he assured that he feels "very safe" with the reduced parliamentary majority of 153 MPs in the 300-member strong chamber.
He does not intend to seek the formation of a unity government, but would most welcome wider consensus on major issues, such as the upcoming pension system reform and the refugee crisis.
Regarding the refugee crisis, the Greek leader rejected criticism "from a few European politicians that Greek borders are like Swiss cheese" and called for a more proportionate sharing of burdens among European countries. More than 650,000 refugees and migrants have reached Greece from January 2015, according to official data, with most aspiring to continue their journey to more prosperous European countries.
The erection of fences and stricter border controls in some countries has increased fears that thousands will be left stranded in the debt laden country which struggles to provide basic aid for a few days. "Greece should not become a warehouse of human souls," Tsipras stressed on Monday.
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