The representatives of the institutional creditors (European Commission, European Stability Mechanism, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund) completed their five-day visit to Athens on Friday 14 September, in the framework of the first post-programme monitoring mission, itself attached to the enhanced supervision to which Greece has been subjected since it came out of the third and last financial assistance plan on 20 August of this year (see EUROPE 12077, 12092).
Amongst other things, these representatives and the Greek authorities discussed Greece's economic prospects, the implementation of socio-economic reforms resulting from the third financial bailout plan and preparations for the draft budget for the year 2019, which Athens, like the other member states of the Eurozone, must submit to the Commission by 15 October.
The question of pensions reform is still a topic of discussion between the government and the institutions. The government of Alexis Tsipras must implement such a reform, which was part of the agreement set out in the third bailout plan, in January, but is looking into suspending it.
Although this is not a mathematical question, as Athens does not need to implement this reform in order to hit its target of a primary budgetary surplus of 3.5% next year, it is a political subject, as it has previously been the subject of an agreement.
The institutional representatives were also able to meet the leaders of the political parties and social partners.
Discussions between the various parties will continue upstream of preparations for the draft 2019 budget. An initial quarterly report will, moreover, be published in November, to coincide with the Commission's presentation of its opinions on the draft budget. (Original version in French by Lucas Tripoteau)