Euclid Tsakalotos apparently had to make a written note to remind himself not to gloat about Sunday’s landslide referendum vote before attending his first EU meeting as finance minister of Greece.
On a piece of headed notepaper from the Hotel – a four-star, €170-a-night lodgings in Brussels – Tsakalotos, or one of his aides, had jotted down: “No triumphalism.”
Politicians never seem to learn to keep their private papers hidden as they attend meetings that are likely to be caught on camera. And from what was revealed, the warning against triumphalism was way down on his table of priorities. Wearing a crumpled blue suit, Tsakalotos started his list with “state of play in previous 4 eurogroups (last two tele-confs)”.
Scribbled down the side, as a bit of an afterthought, was another reminder: “Old letter a bit out date” – although the word “date” was originally written as debt and then crossed out. That may reflect the subject that is swamping his thoughts. Alternatively, the letter referred to could be the one sent last week when the Greeks asked for debt relief and it was simply a slip of the pen.
“Moscovici round up” is the next item – a reference to Pierre Moscovici, the EU’s economic and financial affairs commissioner, who has in the past said “we will do everything” to prevent Greece leaving the euro.
Tsakalotos’s thumb covers up tantalising references to political situations and proposals. Perhaps he deliberately let the world’s cameras see his notes as a negotiating tactic. If not, he should probably invest in a briefcase.
