What began as a discussion on the travel expenses of Thessaloniki mayor Yannis Boutaris ended as an exchange of slurs and expletives between the mayor and municipal counselor Hristos Matis.

Despite optimism that students would start lessons at universities by Tuesday, the war between university authorities and the government again flared up, on Monday morning, resulting in the resignation of the Athens university board of rectors.

Continuing talks with troika officials augur a crucial week for the government.

Measures worth 1.2 billion euros, or 0.7% of GDP will be presented by Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras is to present to troika officials on Sunday.