Economy
Can an IMF Bailout Snub and Brexit Vote Finally Force Greece out of the Euro?
Published:
Last Updated:
It was only a matter of time after all. Europe’s most indebted government is back at it, complaining about bailout conditions and fighting for its next tranche of bailout funds. This time though, there’s the added weight of a million new Syrian refugees in the past 15 months, almost all of whom are clamoring for financial help from a bankrupt state.
The back-and-forth tone is already familiar by now, with both sides blaming the other but confidently expressing that “progress has been made” and that a resolution is in sight. There is one exception to the norm though, and that is the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which put up the hardest fight in the last round of standoffs over the third Greek bailout since 2010. Apparently, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’s government is blaming the IMF for the standoff, accusing it of lacking seriousness in the negotiation process.
We know from earlier reports in January that the IMF is seriously considering skipping on the current bailout, as IMF leaders do not think that Greece can ever shake itself free of debt without debt relief. The IMF has a point since the bailout itself continues to push Greece’s debt-to-GDP ratio ever higher, now at a record 179% with no signs of abating. Other eurozone institutions are loathe to give the Greek government direct debt relief as that would directly impair balance sheets by canceling the cash value of debt held. IMF chief Christine Lagarde has said that the fund likely will make its decision on participating in the second quarter, incidentally around the same time that Great Britain will be voting on its own exit from the European Union.
The standard interpretation of what happens from here is that the two sides work it out again, as always. However, a combination of a Brexit from the EU, the IMF snubbing the bailout and an ever worsening refugee problem that has increased the Greek population by almost 10% in one year might just be enough to end the bailout and break the eurozone apart. The latest Brexit polls out of the United Kingdom have the sides in a statistical tie.
Want retirement to come a few years earlier than you’d planned? Or are you ready to retire now, but want an extra set of eyes on your finances?
Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help you build your plan to retire early. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.
Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.
Have questions about retirement or personal finance? Email us at [email protected]!
By emailing your questions to 24/7 Wall St., you agree to have them published anonymously on a673b.bigscoots-temp.com.
By submitting your story, you understand and agree that we may use your story, or versions of it, in all media and platforms, including via third parties.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.