Tsipras on verge of losing Juncker lifeline

A clearly agitated Jean-Claude Juncker warns Greece at the G7 that he can't “pull a rabbit out of a hat” to avoid a default.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker delivered a strong rebuke to Greek leader Alexis Tsipras Sunday, accusing Athens of undermining negotiations over new terms for its bailout.

A clearly agitated Juncker, speaking to reporters at the G7 summit, said that he refused to take a phone call from Tsipras on Saturday after the Greek leader failed to deliver counter proposals to the latest list of demands from its creditors. While he said he continued to reject “Grexit,” a Greek exit from the eurozone, he cautioned that no one could “pull a rabbit out of a hat” to avoid it.

He said he made it clear to Tsipras that time was running out for a deal. When asked what the deadline was, Juncker responded: “Ask Tsipras what I told him.”

Juncker’s harsh tone marks a stark departure from the conciliatory approach he has taken towards Greece in the past and signals that Tsipras may have lost his only remaining ally as he tries tries to force a better deal for his country from creditors.................

Read further at link: politico.eu