The IMF said Thursday that it would hold off on contacts with Greece until new elections, despite the formation of an interim government in Athens.

“We take note that elections have been called, and we look forward to being in contact with the new government once it has been formed,” spokesman David Hawley told reporters.

The next IMF mission to inspect progress on reforms “would follow the elections” on June 17, Hawley said, adding that he did not have a specific date.

The International Monetary Fund’s policy and disbursements under a 130 billion-euro IMF-EU bailout program have been on hold since a May 6 election failed to produce a stable coalition government after weeks of haggling between parties over economic and social policy.

A caretaker government of technocrats took office in Athens Thursday, but the IMF spokesman made clear that the global emergency lender would wait to deal with whatever new government comes into power.

Yet the June 17 election offers no guarantee of a viable government able to implement an EU-IMF bailout that has divided the country. (AFP)