Greece to receive 8.3 billion euro bailout in three installments

Greece is to receive its next 8.3 billion euro ($11.4 billion) bailout in three installments, eurozone finance ministers have announced.

A first tranche of 6.3 billion euros will be paid at the end of April, Eurogroup chairman Jeroen Dijsselbloem said at a meeting of finance ministers in Athens.

Two more payments of 1 billion euros will be made in June and July, he added.

Ahead of the meeting, demonstrators were barred from parts of Athens including Syntagma Square, the focus of recent anti-austerity protests.

Greece, the current chair of the EU presidency, continues to struggle with high debt and unemployment.

Greece is to receive its next 8.3 billion euro bailout in three installments

Discussions at Tuesday and Wednesday’s meetings include Greece’s austerity programme and market reforms demanded under the terms of its international bailouts.

The latest bailout is one of the last Greece will get from the eurozone. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) will continue to pay its installments for some months.

It comes after the Greek parliament narrowly passed a raft of reforms, mainly to open up retail sectors to competition.

The latest bailout announcement comes amid renewed optimism about Greece’s economic recovery.

Greece has wiped out its deficit, except for interest on its debt, and is forecast to exit six years of recession this year.

Athens hopes the progress will spur the Eurozone to consider debt relief in the coming months, by lowering the interest rate on its loans or extending the repayment period.

But unions and left-wing groups have called for mass protests on Tuesday.

They say people are still suffering under the austerity measures implemented under the bailout terms.

Unemployment is running at 27%, and many Greeks are still feeling the effects of tax rises and spending cuts.

It is unclear whether protesters will attempt to enter prohibited areas and try to reach Syntagma Square.

Athens has enforced protests bans in the past, including when German Chancellor Angela Merkel made high-profile visits.

dBPN_4Igk3E
Clyde K. Valle

Clyde is a business graduate interested in writing about latest news in politics and business. He enjoys writing and is about to publish his first book. He’s a pet lover and likes to spend time with family. When the time allows he likes to go fishing waiting for the muse to come.

Recent Posts

Donald Trump and Elon Musk Celebrate Election Victory at UFC 309

Image source: Wikimedia Commons President-elect Donald Trump celebrated his election victory at the Ultimate Fighting…

5 days ago

White House 2024: Donald Trump Wins, Kamala Harris Calls Him to Concede Election

Millions of voters across the US chose to return Donald Trump to the White House…

2 weeks ago

Who Won? Donald Trump Declares Victory as He Addresses Jubilant Supporters in Florida

Donald Trump declares victory in the US election as he addresses jubilant supporters in Florida.…

2 weeks ago

Stocks Soaring as Donald Trump Closes in on US Victory

Stocks around the world are rising as Donald Trump appears to be on the cusp…

2 weeks ago

Who Won? Kamala Harris Cancels Election Night Party as Path to Victory Narrows

Donald Trump has won Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Georgia and taken a lead over Kamala…

2 weeks ago

Quincy Jones Dead at 91

Quincy Jones, the celebrated musician and producer who worked with Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Ray…

2 weeks ago