The European Commission has promised an extra $39 billion (€35 bn) of funding if a Greek deal is reached by Wednesday. However, members of Alexis Tsipras' Syriza party have warned the Greek Prime Minister against betraying the Greek people by reaching bailout compromises with Brussels.
Meeting now with the President of the European Council, Mr. Tusk. @eucopresident #Greece #EuroSummit #EUCO pic.twitter.com/f9TiinSsm9
— Alexis Tsipras (@tsipras_eu) June 22, 2015
Meanwhile, EU leaders continue to push for a deal to prevent the country from exiting the European Union. And a deal appears to be on the cards — but at what cost?
In what's become a Greek ritual, thousands of people gather each night in Syntagma Square in Athens. Rival groups meet outside the Greek parliament. One side are demanding an end to austerity and more bailout deals with Europe. Another side are calling for continued membership with the European Union.
The betrayal, or deal, depending on which side of Syntagma Square people are standing on, includes a rise in VAT to generate $334 million (€300 million) in 2015 and $1.78 billion (€1.6 bn) in 2016.
Greece negotiations: GER needs pension reform, refuses debt relief. Greece refuses pension reform, needs debt relief pic.twitter.com/3JSuzXBmKQ
— Megan Greene (@economistmeg) June 18, 2015
A supplement added to income tax has also been included to raise $245 million (€220 million) at the end of this year. Corporations will be charged 12 percent on any profits above $558,000 (€500,000). Corporation tax will also rise three percent to 29 percent from 2016 to raise $457 million (€410 million).
Rumour has #Greece proposing increase in pension contributions, only has the highest ones in OECD. Insanity goes on pic.twitter.com/BMMbUK6WvZ
— Yiannis Mouzakis (@YiannisMouzakis) June 22, 2015
As for pensions, the betrayal, or deal, includes restricting early retirement options, saving $66 million (€60 million) this year and $33.4 million (€30 million) in 2016. Increasing pension contributions will raise $390 million (€350 million) this year and $891 million (€800 million) next year. Higher health contributions from pensioners will raise $150 million (€135 million) in 2015 and $568 million (€510 million) in 2016.
Feeling betrayed, pensioners from around Greece have announced that they will protest this evening on the streets of Athens against the Syriza government's proposed austerity package.
Eurozone leaders welcomed the new budget proposals from Athens, so that negotiations can continue to avoid Greece defaulting on its $1.78 billion (€1.6 bn) debt to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Meanwhile, outspoken members of the party have reacted angrily to Tsipras' offer to raise taxes, pension and health contributions in a country already suffering severe economic hardship.
Deputy parliament speaker and Syriza lawmaker Alexis Mitropoulos told Greek Mega TV: "I believe that this program as we see it…is difficult to pass by us.
"The Prime Minister first has to inform our people on why we failed in the negotiation and ended up with this result. I believe the measures are not in line with the principles of the left. This social carnage… they cannot accept it."
A deal may appear to be on the cards but the drama is far from over.
Greece's creditors could demand more austerity measures from Tsipras in order to finalize the agreement when representatives from the Troika, the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund meet on Wednesday night.
If the Greek government don't support the deal, Alexis Tsipras might be left with no other choice but to call a snap election or referendum, leaving the Greek people to decide the country's fate.
