Greece deal is first step on the road back to austerity

The extension of the Greek bailout with barely a concession to Yanis Varoufakis's demands proves only that Europe wants him to stick with the programme

The rightwing orthodoxy that dominates thinking in Brussels has asserted itself over the hapless Greeks. A deal that allows the eurozone policymakers, the International Monetary Fund and the government of Athens to keep talking next week is the first stage in a clampdown on anti-austerity sentiment.

Related: Eurozone chiefs strike deal to extend Greek bailout for four months