Kopacz talks tough on Greek bailout

“The Polish government will act in such a way as to guarantee one obvious principle, that neither the state budget nor our citizens will bear the consequences of this aid [for Greece],” Kopacz said.

“With regards to the so-called ‘bridge loan’ for Greece, Poland will of course act in the spirit of European solidarity, but also towards a solution that is pragmatic and beneficial for [our] country.”

The Prime Minister made the comments while on an official visit to Spain, with her Spanish counterpart Mariano Rajoy also present.

Under proposals from the European Commission Greece will be given a EUR 7 billion bridge loan for up to three months, to keep it solvent until a third full bailout is agreed.

The EUR 7 billion is expected to come from the European Financial Stabilisation Mechanism, which means that non-eurozone countries such as Poland will also be involved in this assistance.

Since the initial announcement of the bridge loan non-eurozone countries have successfully negotiated for their contributions to be guaranteed by the eurozone in the event of a Greek default.

Kopacz blamed populism for the crisis, saying that: “As Greece was beginning to come out of the crisis populists came to power, and in five months have led the country to bankruptcy.”

The reference to populism can be seen as a comment on Poland’s own parliamentary elections later this year. According to opinion polls the ruling Civic Platform (PO) party is currently trailing the opposition Law and Justice (PiS). (sl/jh)

Source: PAP