Greece...

antrobus

Mistermeaner wrote: »

So a week has gone by and absolutely nothing has happened in Greece

Lots of things have happened in Greece.

The Greek parliament has passed a lot of new legislation. The ECB have extended ELA, and the Greek banks are now open. A deal was knocked up to lend Greece and extra €7bn so they could pay off an EBC bond due on the 20th and clear their arrears to the IMF. Talks on the 3rd bailout have begun. Syriza is looking like it will split, and there may be snap elections in the autumn. Varoufakis is possibly facing criminal charges and Panathinaikos beat FC Bruges 2-1 in the 1st leg of their Champions League qualifier.

BlondeHeadOn

Why is Varoufakis possibly facing criminal charges? Is this related to his political role or something else?

remorseless

BlondeHeadOn wrote: »

Why is Varoufakis possibly facing criminal charges? Is this related to his political role or something else?

There should be a charge for moronic behaviour, but I suspect courts would be too busy!!!

I thought it's because of he was spilling the beans on the parallel currency and other suggestion to destabilise the economy even further?

antrobus

BlondeHeadOn wrote: »

Why is Varoufakis possibly facing criminal charges? Is this related to his political role or something else?

Both.

The wonderfully named Apostolos Gletsos has launched a suit accusing Varoufakis of causing "massive damage to the Greek economy". I believe some lawyer has also launched a similar case.

http://www.ekathimerini.com/199786/article/ekathimerini/news/mayor-files-lawsuit-against-former-finance-minister-yanis-varoufakis

However, it now seems that Varoufakis had a Plan B all along. He has claimed that he had some super-secret team working on a parallel banking system, the development of which involved hacking into the software systems of the tax office, and downloading a database of tax payers.

http://www.ekathimerini.com/200005/article/ekathimerini/news/supreme-court-forwards-suits-against-varoufakis-to-parliament

antrobus

remorseless wrote: »

There should be a charge for moronic behaviour, but I suspect courts would be too busy!!!...

Sadly I don't think that causing massive damage to an economy is a criminal offence. If it was then Gordon Brown would be in Wandsworth.

remorseless wrote: »

...I thought it's because of he was spilling the beans on the parallel currency and other suggestion to destabilise the economy even further?

It's the hacking bit that has got certain people upset.

wymondham

It's great that the Greek problem has been sorted.... who's next on the radar?

antrobus

wymondham wrote: »

It's great that the Greek problem has been sorted.... who's next on the radar?

You spoke to soon.

The IMF has spoken.:)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/11773977/Greece-crisis-escalates-as-IMF-witholds-support-for-a-new-bail-out-deal.html

remorseless

antrobus wrote: »

You spoke to soon.

The IMF has spoken.:)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/11773977/Greece-crisis-escalates-as-IMF-witholds-support-for-a-new-bail-out-deal.html

it is peak season after all, how else would those collars be able to secure hotel booking?

Thrugelmir

ManAtHome wrote: »

Can't see VAT on food increasing from 13% to 23% (potentially 9% to 23% for many of the islands) being that positive.

Not paying tax is a national Greek pastime. One way or another Governmental income has to be raised.

wotsthat

Thrugelmir wrote: »

Not paying tax is a national Greek pastime. One way or another Governmental income has to be raised.

Greece already has one of the highest tax burdens in the world so they do enjoy running a large state. I might move there - relaxed attitude to paying tax and a generous benefits system - what's not to like?

The data was from 2012 though.

How many people would pay all their tax in the UK if the chances of being caught were slim and the penalties mild?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tax_Freedom_Day