“We don't believe that there is an impasse with the Troika. Talks are continuing in a constructive climate. The aim is to complete them by year's end,” said Antonis Samaras after his meeting with Jose Manuel Barroso in Brussels, on Wednesday.

Through carefully worded statements European commission president Jose Manul Barroso chided the Greek government for being ineffective, while lauding the Greek people for its great sacrifices , in an interview with German newspaper Bild.

Syriza leader Alexis Tsipras could be the candidate for the position of president of the European Commission put forth by the European Left Party.