A turbulent Easter in Cyprus
April 2, 2013
Uncertainty continues to reign in Cyprus. Cypriot Finance Minister Michalis Sarris resigned this afternoon, seemingly confirming the earlier (denied) rumours that he had previously tried to resign and bringing to a close what must be one of the shortest stints as finance minister in recent history (35 days). To add fuel to the fire, initial reports suggest he resigned due to the on-going investigation into people moving funds out of Cyprus ahead of the bailout. Fortunately, unlike other aspects of the crisis, the Cypriot government has wasted no time in appointing a successor with Labour Minister Haris Georgiadis already lined up to fill the role.
“I would like to send a message to the Cyprus people that there is no other way, there is no alternative apart from freeing (the country) from the troika’s and the memorandum’s bonds…by leaving the troika and the EMS behind us, we will ensure our national independence, our national sovereignty, our moral integrity and our economic independence…If we remain bound by the Troika and the memorandum Cyprus’ destiny is already foretold and there will be no future.”
Furthermore a draft version of the loan agreement between the EU/IMF/ECB Troika and Cyprus (the Memorandum of Understanding) was leaked yesterday. It drove home another point which we have flagged up before. Despite all the talk about depositors and banks, Cyprus is still getting a €10bn bailout, that will mean undergoing the fiscal consolidation and structural reforms (widely referred to as ‘austerity’) witnessed in the other bailout countries. The key points of the agreement confirm this:
- 7.25% of GDP in fiscal consolidation between 2012-2016.
- Freeze in public sector pensions and a two year increase in the retirement age.
- Implement a four-year plan as prepared by the Public Administration and Personnel Department aimed at the abolition of at least 1880 permanent posts over the period 2013-2016.
- Increase the statutory corporate income tax rate to 12.5%.
- Increase the tax rate on interest and dividend income to 30%.
austerity, banking sector, capital controls, Cyprus, depositors, deposits, troika, unemployment |