Lagarde: IMF never asked for such deep spending cuts in Greece

Christine Lagarde - Reuters

Naftemporiki — The International Monetary Fund (IMF) never asked for additional and deep cuts in state spending implemented in Greece over the recent period, the Fund’s managing director, Christine Lagarde, told reporters in Washington D.C. on Thursday morning.

Speaking at a press conference on the sidelines of the spring meetings of the IMF and the WB Group, Lagarde said the country’s fiscal performance has recently exceeded expectations, although in many cases such positive results have been achieved without consultation with IMF experts over possible “alternative solutions”.

She also reiterated the IMF’s standing recommendation towards Athens to continue implementing structural reforms.

Finally, she avoided making a commitment on the IMF continued participation in the Greek program as a creditor, or whether it will be actively involved in the post-bailout period.