Editorial: Lessons to take from Greece deal
A man walks by a mural in Athens, Greece July 14, 2015, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras faces a showdown with rebels in his own party furious at his capitulation to German demands for one of the most sweeping austerity packages ever demanded of a euro zone government. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis
AND so, after months of brinkmanship and 17 hours of intense negotiations, Greece yesterday reached an agreement with the Eurozone.
How successful an agreement remains to be seen. There are some very difficult days ahead for Greece with the terms of another bailout yet to be agreed on and a vote set to take place tomorrow in the Greek parliament on the stringent reforms demanded of the country.
A Grexit, while less likely today, still cannot be ruled out.
One thing is clear: the anti-austerity rhetoric of Syriza has been exposed as utterly hollow in the wake of the Greek climbdown.
Explicit also is the dominant, if not domineering, power of Germany within the Eurozone.
From an Irish point of view many may think today: there but for the grace of God go us.
If the prospect of debt relief comes only at the cost of the sale of €50bn in State assets – overseen by the now-notorious Troika – would we be interested in it?
Fitting tribute to legend George Byrne
THE LATE Herald writer George Byrne was passionate about music and journalism.
It’s apt then that the critic has been honoured in his home city with a grant in his name, to fund studies in both fields.
The George Byrne Bursary will provide financial assistance to students living in Dublin who are pursuing a career in journalism or music.
Details of the award were announced last night at the launch of the Liberties’ Festival, a week-long event which celebrates the best of the area in which Byrne himself lived.
This bursary will help talented young people follow in George Byrne’s footsteps. Here’s hoping that their writing will be as incisive as his was.