THE GOOD NEWS: Greeks will be spared new austerity measures this year, parties backing the coalition government promised on Wednesday.

THE BAD NEWS: Leaders of three parties are hammering out details of a new round of cuts worth (EURO)11.5 billion ($14.1 billion) demanded by international rescue creditors over 2013 and 2014. They are also seeking ways to better deal with this year's deficit-cutting targets, which are slipping away.

THE VISITORS: Debt inspectors from the European Union, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund are due to return to Athens next week.