This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-33020420

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Greece PM Tsipras to face MPs' anger over debt talks Greece PM Tsipras to face MPs' anger over debt talks
(35 minutes later)
Greece's prime minister is facing growing opposition from within his left-wing Syriza party to conditions put forward by creditors for a continuation of the country's bailout.Greece's prime minister is facing growing opposition from within his left-wing Syriza party to conditions put forward by creditors for a continuation of the country's bailout.
Alexis Tsipras will brief parliament later following talks with the EU, the European Central Bank and the IMF.Alexis Tsipras will brief parliament later following talks with the EU, the European Central Bank and the IMF.
Many of his own MPs are expected to object to Athens making any concessions.Many of his own MPs are expected to object to Athens making any concessions.
Greece has delayed Friday's €300m (£216m) debt repayment to the IMF.Greece has delayed Friday's €300m (£216m) debt repayment to the IMF.
Instead all four instalments scheduled for June will be combined into a single payment at the end of the month.Instead all four instalments scheduled for June will be combined into a single payment at the end of the month.
Greek Economy Minister George Stathakis told the BBC that the country's cash-strapped government had the money to make Friday's payment, but chose not to.Greek Economy Minister George Stathakis told the BBC that the country's cash-strapped government had the money to make Friday's payment, but chose not to.
He said Greece could not accept new austerity measures proposed by international creditors to unlock the final €7.2bn tranche of the country's bailout.He said Greece could not accept new austerity measures proposed by international creditors to unlock the final €7.2bn tranche of the country's bailout.
But he said the government would do anything it could to stay in the eurozone while getting a "better deal" for Greece.But he said the government would do anything it could to stay in the eurozone while getting a "better deal" for Greece.
Greece's schedule of repaymentsGreece's schedule of repayments
Special report - Greek debt crisisSpecial report - Greek debt crisis
Katya Adler - Nervous times awaiting Greece's next move
Robert Peston - How serious is missed IMF payment?Robert Peston - How serious is missed IMF payment?
Deep anger
Mr Tsipras said on Thursday that an agreement with Greece's international creditors was "in sight", particularly on the key sticking point of primary surpluses - the amount by which tax revenues exceed public spending.Mr Tsipras said on Thursday that an agreement with Greece's international creditors was "in sight", particularly on the key sticking point of primary surpluses - the amount by which tax revenues exceed public spending.
But he said there were "points that no-one would consider as a base for discussion" - citing cuts to pensions and a raise in sales tax for electricity - after meeting the head of the eurozone's finance ministers, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, and European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker in Brussels.But he said there were "points that no-one would consider as a base for discussion" - citing cuts to pensions and a raise in sales tax for electricity - after meeting the head of the eurozone's finance ministers, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, and European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker in Brussels.
On his return to Athens he told ministers the government could not accept "extreme proposals". Nervous times awaiting Greece's next move - Katya Adler
The Greek government's decision not to make the IMF repayment on Friday is being interpreted across Europe as a political statement rather than desperate economic necessity.
Greek officials familiar with the country's financial situation say it has the money to make the bank transfer and the next IMF payment due in a few days' time.
So the decision to become the first developed country ever to delay a repayment to the IMF is understood as being the latest message of defiance from Greece to its international creditors: "Don't push us too far. We'd rather snap than bend".
And it could yet come to that.
Read more from Katya
On his return to Athens Mr Tsipras told ministers that the government could not accept "extreme proposals".
Underlining a deep sense of anger towards the offer, Deputy Social Security Minister Dimitris Stratoulis, who is close to the far-left faction of the ruling Syriza party, denounced the measures.Underlining a deep sense of anger towards the offer, Deputy Social Security Minister Dimitris Stratoulis, who is close to the far-left faction of the ruling Syriza party, denounced the measures.
"If [the creditors] do not back down from this package of blackmail, the government ...will have to seek alternative solutions, elections," he told Antenna TV."If [the creditors] do not back down from this package of blackmail, the government ...will have to seek alternative solutions, elections," he told Antenna TV.
However, Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis said on Thursday he saw "no reason whatsoever" for Greece to go to snap elections, according to Reuters.However, Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis said on Thursday he saw "no reason whatsoever" for Greece to go to snap elections, according to Reuters.
Greece debt talks - main sticking pointsGreece debt talks - main sticking points
Negotiating tacticNegotiating tactic
Prime Minister Tsipras, who spoke by phone on Thursday night with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande, will address the Greek parliament later on Friday.Prime Minister Tsipras, who spoke by phone on Thursday night with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande, will address the Greek parliament later on Friday.
He needs to decide soon whether to agree a deal with the creditors. Failure to do so could trigger a Greek default and a potential exit from the eurozone.He needs to decide soon whether to agree a deal with the creditors. Failure to do so could trigger a Greek default and a potential exit from the eurozone.
The government must now pay a total of €1.5bn back to the IMF on 30 June, which is also the day on which its bailout deal with the EU and IMF runs out.The government must now pay a total of €1.5bn back to the IMF on 30 June, which is also the day on which its bailout deal with the EU and IMF runs out.
However, the total this month Greece actually needs to pay in terms of bills is 6.7bn euros. The rest - 5.2bn euros - is short term treasury bills.However, the total this month Greece actually needs to pay in terms of bills is 6.7bn euros. The rest - 5.2bn euros - is short term treasury bills.
BBC economics correspondent Andrew Walker says the €300m payment would have been difficult for the Greek government, however the decision to delay it may have been a negotiating tactic intended to put pressure on the IMF and the EU in negotiations over the bailout. Correspondents says the €300m payment would have been difficult for the Greek government, however the decision to delay it may have been a negotiating tactic intended to put pressure on the IMF and the EU in negotiations over the bailout.
The last country to bundle together payments to the IMF was Zambia in the mid-1980s.The last country to bundle together payments to the IMF was Zambia in the mid-1980s.