×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Tuesday
20
Jan 2026
weather symbol
Athens 6°C
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • World
  • Diaspora
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Mediterranean Cooking
  • Weather
Contact follow Protothema:
Powered by Cloudevo
> Economy

IMF head disagrees with German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schauble

Lagarde says only debt reduction along with reforms can help economic recovery in Greece

Newsroom April 3 08:53

IMF Director Christine Lagarde called for a restructuring of the Greek debt and reforms in the economy during a speech in Washington, Monday in order for the organisation to support the bailout program. The IMF’s head sent a message to the Europeans, and esepcially German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schauble that the only way it would commit to the Greek program would be with a debt haircut accompanied by reforms in the pension and tax system. Responding to a question by Greek journalist Michalis Ignatiou, Mrs. Lagarde said the she disagreed with Mr. Schauble that Greece’s problem was related to lack of productivity, but rather to debt relief. “We at the IMF believe Greece should have the least debt possible on her shoulders and support its restructuring to a degree that would make it sustainable”, she pointed out. She went on to stress that only structural reforms would have a long-term effect and aid in the economic recovery of Greece, which would release prospects of productivity to aid Greece move forward and exit the crisis. Mrs. Lagarde did not rule out the participation of the Fund in the Greek program, but only under the condition of a debt haircut and reforms.

Ask me anything

Explore related questions

#christine lagarde#debt#finance#german#greece#imf#minister#Schäuble#washington#Wolfgang
> More Economy

Follow en.protothema.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news

See all the latest News from Greece and the World, the moment they happen, at en.protothema.gr

> Latest Stories

Greek satellites capture Frigate Kimon arriving in Greece from space

January 20, 2026

The Sirius Dog Sled Patrol is not just “Two dog sleds”: Greenland’s elite unit patrols for five months in temperatures as low as –55°C

January 20, 2026

Why are people selecting digital detox and feeling happier

January 20, 2026

Zelensky warns that Russia is preparing a massive attack against Ukraine

January 20, 2026

Pierrakakis after the Eurogroup: ‘Dialogue between the US and EU is key, tariffs would undermine Transatlantic relations’

January 19, 2026

Davos: Von der Leyen calls for unquestionable respect for the sovereignty of Greenland and Denmark

January 19, 2026

Opinion Poll: New Democracy Rises to 30.2%, Leading by 16.8 Points — Karystianou draws from Hellenic Solution, Niki, SYRIZA, and Plevsi

January 19, 2026

Princess Irene was buried at Tatoi in a private family ceremony – Queen Sofia was devastated

January 19, 2026
All News

> Greece

Greek satellites capture Frigate Kimon arriving in Greece from space

Five Greek microsatellites now in orbit under the National Microsatellite Programme as Greece moves from planning to implementation

January 20, 2026

Why are people selecting digital detox and feeling happier

January 20, 2026

Princess Irene was buried at Tatoi in a private family ceremony – Queen Sofia was devastated

January 19, 2026

Eurovision 2026: What the betting odds suggest about Greece’s song choice

January 19, 2026

Severe weather and biting cold across the country – What the “Aegean Sea Effect” is, which brings heavy snow to coastal areas and dangerous storms

January 19, 2026
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2026 Πρώτο Θέμα