Forums Forums General Forums A - Z Lifestyle What's Going to Happen in Greece ?

Could Greece do both ? Say Yes, but also get into bed with Putin by accepting money from him to get themselves sorted , in exchange for a Russian base in Greece? That would send the Americans spare !

The EU/ECB/IMF bottled out big time when this almost happened with Cyprus a couple of years ago.

So Greece has that card to play for sure then?

Must've cost a bit to replace all them plates they smash at their weddings by the looks of things !

Difficult to say, Russia is feeling the squeeze with the low oil price and sanctions so won't want to take on more financial undertakings. On the other hand Russia, EU and USA are playing a lot of smarty-point games so Greece would be quite a coup for Russia.

I'm pretty sure the EU will back out for other reasons - they have done the posturing show of strength, if Greece does totally collapse it will play against the EU in many ways and could start the demise of Europe - I guess this is what Greece is betting on and the EU are trying not to play into their hands even though they will in the end.

Greece has got a massive military for the size of country (probably the biggest) and yet I've heard very little in them being asked to make savings from that so it makes you wonder if this is a big play act being played out for the media and propaganda.

So much doesn't make sense that I'm wondering what is going on, whatever it is, I think we will have to wait 60 years to find out.

60 years ? Why , whats the particular slow burner you're referring to ?I would have thought that the direction things are taking will be revealed within months?

60 years until the truth comes out, what is said in public will be part of the negotiations and is unlikely to represent what actually happened.

It wouldn't be the first agreement that's not been held up by the settlement but after the settlement has been sorted the negotiations as to what information is given to the media so that nobody loses face or which nominal person is to be sacrificed.

Ah yes, the truth of negotiations , of course, I agree - the REAL 'why' we see what we will see. Was thinking you meant we wouldnt see effects of the decisions until then.

Half Greece's problem is that they can't move forward into the 21st century. They consistently claim, Greece was the birth of civilisation in Europe. Tspiras said the same thing last night in his 'Eva Peron style' speech in Syntagma Square.

They're still munching over the fact that Germany owes them from WW11 and are still entombed in 3000 years of history. They have never been on 'the up' . Sitting all day and wondering how they can each make 'the money', displaying a motion where their thumb swirls around, against their first two fingers on the right hand.

I like the Greeks, and one half of me is saying, 'well done' tell the world what you think of Europe's ideas, let us share in your misery.
On the other hand, if they vote 'NO', what do they face? Worse than they have for a long period ,I should imagine. The drachma will be useless and worthless now, and I would hate to see those people suffer anymore. It could be a long lonely road as even though they have many trading partners worldwide, the drachma will not help them.

This EU was supposed to make us united and supported after WW11, well it's still not happening and we appear to give more visible support to nations outside the union than we do for our members at the moment, and I don't believe that any of those people who sit in positions of such power and might, have the ability to run the show. It's running away with them, because at the end of the day they are humans behaving like robots ,dealing with, alongside and against massive, uncontrollable, corruption.
Therefore, if we wish for Greeks to upset the apple cart, I hope they vote 'NO' and also hope USA keep their nose out .

Lenders' proposals: Key sticking points
◾VAT (sales tax): Alexis Tsipras accepts a new three-tier system, but wants to keep 30% discount on the Greek islands' VAT rates. Lenders want the islands' discounts scrapped
◾Pensions: Ekas top-up grant for some 200,000 poorer pensioners will be phased out by 2020 - as demanded by lenders. But Mr Tsipras says no to immediate Ekas cut for the wealthiest 20% of Ekas recipients
◾Defence: Mr Tsipras says reduce ceiling for military spending by €200m in 2016 and €400m in 2017. Lenders call for €400m reduction - no mention of €200m

You cannot buck the markets. Simples!

10% military cut sounds reasonable, however the knock on from that will be quite a large increase in unemployement.

VAT cut for the Islands will be a problem - a lot of foreign nationals have retired there and if costs increase there could be an exodus to Spanish Islands and others.

Pension cuts is very worrying, the subsidy is essential for some. The pension problem appears to be brought on by the Greek early retirement scheme at 45, but this can make economic sense - keeping unemployment lower especially in the younger generations and instead of paying people unemployment they are topping up pensions which could work out cheaper.

I can see Greece ending up with a massive unemployment problem which won't aid the recovery one little bit.

Interesting that the IMF is effectively siding with a "NO" vote at the moment and appear to be a bit hacked off with EU/ECB rather than Greece.

Someone explained a little more on TV yesterday.

The money that the ECB has given Greece over the last 5 yesrs has never gone to the people of Greece. It has gone straight back out again to repay Germany and France.

Also, Greece has the most far left Government in the EU, and it's not known how to really deal with it.

That, in my opinion , has a lot to do with the way Europe has been 'managed'. So far as I know, most of the EU members are either centre left or centre right. Probably why the unions have been fixed and probably manipulation for eventual unification in all places. Everyone the same and lead by the President of Europe. Greece is certainly a thorn in their side at the moment and whilst the Greek people vote, there are probably a few backroom boys in Brussels, drawing up a plan in order to stop this sort rebellion from a left wing member state ever being able to happen again.

'you are in my class, and you will do as you are told'

EU annual accounts have never been signed off - sort of indicates financial mismanagement on a massive scale I would have thought. Rotten to the core.