Spain hits back at Greek claims it tried to hinder debt negotiations
SPAIN’S Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy yesterday hit back at Greek claims that Spanish and Portuguese officials had tried to stunt bailout negotiations between Brussels and Greece.
“Spain and Portugal voted exactly the same as the rest of the European Union countries,” Rajoy said at a meeting of the People’s party . “We are not responsible for the frustration generated by the Greek radical left after promising Greeks something they know they can’t fulfil, as it has been now demonstrated.”
Speaking in Greece on Saturday, new Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said Spain and Portugal had tried to hinder negotiations to stop populist parties gaining traction in their countries. “Their plan was and is to wear down, topple or bring our government to unconditional surrender before our work begins to bear fruit and before the Greek example affects other countries…And mainly before the elections in Spain.”
In Spain, the anti-austerity Podemos party has overtaken the People’s party in polls. Elections are due later this year.