The president of the European Parliament’s Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) group Hannes Swoboda concluded a visit to Greece where he held a series of  meetings.

Specifically, he met with Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras, representatives of the main opposition Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA), PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos, Democratic Left (DIM.AR) leader Fotis Kouvelis, City of Athens mayor, as well as representatives of higher education institutions and NGOs.

Speaking at a press conference, on October 30, Swoboda said of the troika’s insistence on more austerity measures in Greece, that "[t]hey are bad economists and even worse psychologists."

He also backed a more balanced approach to labour issues, adding however, that the rest of the agreement should not be put at risk.

After meeting with Thessaloniki mayor Yiannis Boutaris, on October 29, Swoboda, had said that Greece should remain in the eurozone because being forced out would not solve the existing problem but, on the contrary, would exacerbate it. He also underlined that Greece needs more time to exit the crisis.