Athens--The Greek government cast doubt on EU commission head Jean-Claude Juncker's "sincerity" on Monday, as a bitter war of words erupted over who was to blame for a breakdown in bailout negotiations.
"An essential element in indicating good faith and reliability in negotiations is sincerity," government spokesman Gabriel Sakellaridis said, after Juncker complained he felt betrayed by Athens and urged Prime Minister Alexis Tspiras to tell the Greek people "what is really at stake".
Juncker's pained outburst came after speaking with Tsipras by telephone, a Greek government source said, adding that the PM had also answered a call from European Parliament head Martin Schulz.
Tsipras asked both once more for a "few days extension" to the country's current bailout deal, which is set to expire on Tuesday, to give the Greek people time to vote on it at a referendum set for Sunday July 5.
Schulz said he would immediately call a meeting of European parliamentary groups to see whether an extension might be possible, the source said.
AFP
