Russia may buy Greek railway system

Greece has long lost sovereignty to its creditors. In return for loans it has been forced to sell off state assets. No doubt they will go at fire sale prices.

The Russian railway monopoly Russsian Railways is in talks with Greek authorities. The head of Russian Railways said: "We're keeping in contact with the Greeks … They haven't decided on the model yet, so it's too early to talk about our participation."

Romania's largest private railway is interested in the cargo part of the Greek business. Russia has been interested in investing in Greek railways for some time.Proposals made last year were reportedly rejected by Greece. The situation may be different now.

However there are reports that Greece wants a French company to run the railways to service foreign debts. However the French company involved SNCF said through a spokesperson that the operator "is not in the running for the purchase of Trainose, nor is it in the running for the purchase of a railway company or a railway line in Greece".

An EU timetable has tenders for Trainose (the Greek railway system) to be opened in the last quarter of this year. All the assets of the company will be transferred to a privatization fund. The proceeds will go to pay off Greek debt.

Romania: Prime Minister resigns after protests

   Romania's prime minister has resigned a victim of anti-austerity protests. Emil Boc has faced weeks of protests nationwide against his government's austerity measures.
   Boc said:"It is the moment for important political decisions. From this point of view, I took the decision to give up the government's mandate," Boc enforced austerity measures. They included reducing salaries of government workers by twenty five per cent and also raising sales taxes.
     The measures were demanded by the IMF in order for Romania to receive 26.4 billion in a bailout deal. Boc's party has sunk to a less than 20 per cent approval rating. An opposition alliance has more than 50 per cent support. Elections are due later this year. For more see this article.