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Finance Ministry officials have been preparing four lines of defence ahead of the troika’s visit in the next month with the hope that the government will not have to detail measures at this point, which it believes would be politically damaging.
The government’s main argument will be that Greece’s fiscal performance this year will beat the targets agreed with the troika. Athens will also argue that more time should be allowed for improvements to Greece’s tax administration to produce results. The Finance Ministry will also suggest that a smaller-than-expected recession this year and forecast-beating growth next year will mean that fewer austerity measures will be needed.
Finally, the government will also pin its hopes on the better use of European Union structural funds and the continuation of the 95 per cent co-financing option, which means that Greece will need to provide just 5 per cent of the money needed for these projects.