EU pledges to relax Greece scrutiny
The European Commission has said Greece is on course to end a draconian bailout programme in February and switch to “much lighter surveillance” despite delays concluding negotiations with rescue lenders.
EU Finance Commissioner Pierre Moscovici praised Greece’s “immense progress” during a visit to Athens and described a two-month extension in bailout negotiations to the end of February as “technical”.
Greece’s Parliament will vote on Wednesday for a new president, in a ballot that could last up to three rounds.
Conservative Prime Minister Antonis Samaras has to win over support from opposition politicians to avoid a snap general election.
Uncertainty over his ability to court enough support has raised concerns over Greece.
