The Limited Times

Greek debt is no longer in the eye of the storm

4/19/2020, 9:52:16 PM


The confinement and closing of borders could wipe out the economy of Greece, due to its heavy dependence on tourism.

At the heart of the turmoil of the euro crisis between 2011 and 2015, Greece is certainly suffering the impact of the Covid-19 crisis, but is no longer the subject of all concerns. The country may well be relatively unaffected by the pandemic (just over 100 dead out of just over 2,200 confirmed cases), its economy is at a standstill and not about to start again, due to its heavy dependence on tourism .

The sector, which contributed to half of economic growth last year, represents 20% of GDP and 1 in 4 jobs. Total containment decreed at the end of March and the sine die closing of the EU borders go more or less destroy the 2020 season. The Greek Minister of Tourism, Charis Theocharis, did not appreciate hearing the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, recommend to Europeans not to book holidays abroad.

Read also: After recovering its economy, Portugal calls for solidarity from the 27

The IMF forecasts a severe recession of -10% over the year for Greece, with an unemployment rate of 22%. A 10 billion rescue plan

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