Coalition government is faced with troika’s pressures as the latter has began its audits, with the coming of the troika heads expected for next week.

According to protothema.gr, layoffs of civil servants have not been withdrawn from the table of debate although all three parties of the government assure there will be no layoffs but instead they will proceed faster with the transfer programme in the public sector.

The issue of reducing wages in the private sector through the end of sectoral agreements is also back on the table, although the government clarified that the minimum wage will not be affected at this time.

The negotiation with the troika heads takes place in the wider European context created by the political instability in Italy. Government staffers say the austerity programme should be eased and in no case include any new measures.

However, the government believes that the situation requires careful handling because there should not be an impression of programme revision, an event highly unlikely to be accepted by Berlin and Brussels. Coalition leaders believe that troika will play its game but not exceed its limits.

But the social climate deteriorates as the measures for uncollectible debts to the public advance and in view of the tax return statements for 2013.

Besides, troika blames the government for loopholes in the tax collection mechanism, which will naturally further burden the entire society and not just the tax evaders.