Greece’s leftwing prime minister Alexis Tsipras has lambasted international creditors supporting the thrice bailed-out country for exacerbating its problems by failing to agree on how to address its burgeoning debt problem. Speaking at the Thessaloniki annual trade fair, where Greek leaders traditionally outline economic policy, Tsipras blamed a spat between the EU and the International Monetary Fund for putting off badly needed private investors. Germany, which is holding national elections next year, has ruled out addressing the issue in the near future. Greek national output has been slashed by almost a third and unemployment, at more than 26%, remains the highest in Europe. Photograph: Sotiris Barbarousis/EPAThroughout Greece’s financial ordeal, prime ministers have used the Thessaloniki trade fair – the biggest in the Balkan peninsula - to make promises that few can ever keep.

Source: The Guardian September 11, 2016 17:49 UTC