ATHENS, Greece (AP) – The European Commission says Greece is on course to end a draconian bailout program in February and switch to “much lighter surveillance” despite delays concluding negotiations with rescue lenders.
EU Finance Commissioner Pierre Moscovici on Tuesday 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 Wednesday for a new Greek president, in a ballot that can last up to three rounds. Conservative Prime Minister Antonis Samaras has to win over support from opposition lawmakers to avoid a snap general election.
Uncertainty over his ability to court enough support has raised concerns over Greece.