Belgium: Dijsselbloem hopes for "different political situation" following Greek bailout extension stalemate

Eurogroup President Jeroen Dijsselbloem criticised the Greek government for their conduct during the recent breakdown in negotiations, in Brussels, Saturday. "The Greek Parliament still has to take a wise position on that [the breakdown of the talks], and I hope that may lead to a different political situation," he added. The president accused the Greeks from "walking away from negotiations" and "ending the talks in a negative way." The Dutch politician went further, attacking the Greeks on their idea of a referendum, declaring "if they done that a lot earlier it would have been easier." His speech comes as Eurozone finance ministers rejected a Greek request to extend their bailout programme beyond June 30. Dijsselbloem also refuted Greek Finance Minister, Yanis Varoufakis' claims that his delegation had been excluded from a second Eurogroup meeting, stating "Minister Varoufakis left on his own account the Eurogroup meeting before it [the meeting] was ended." A second meeting was then called "by a number of ministers" in order to discuss "the consequences from the political position taken by the Greek Government," according to the president. The referendum is scheduled for July 5. The Hellenic Parliament is currently debating whether or not to ratify the vote. The finance ministers of the Eurozone are also meeting to discuss whether to extend the bailout, which expires Tuesday, until after the referendum has been held.