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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 16-06-13Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>Weekend News BulletinMonday June 13, 2016 CONTENTS
[01] EU Commissioner Avramopoulos stresses the need for Constitution reviewEU Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos on Sunday in an article published at kathimerini.gr stressed the need for Constitution review "today, more than ever."Avramopoulos said he was in favour of the president being elected directly by the people, adding that he should have increased responsibilities due to the current critical circumstances. More specifically, Avramopoulos reiterated the proposal submitted in 2011. "I remain more consistent than ever. The gravity of the circumstances requires a strong president; a president should be elected directly by the people, with increased powers," he said. "The direct election of the president will give prestige to the institution and the institutional order in the country. The president must operate democratically and consistently for the benefit of the nation and when required in harmonious cooperation with the political parties, the society and the people," he added. [02] FM Kotzias: Some try to undermine the Greek-Albanian dialogue"Of course there was no genocide of the Chams," Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias on Sunday said in statements to Mega TV regarding the provocative banners at the Albania - Switzerland football match.Kotzias attributed the new challenge of the Albanian nationalists to the attempt of certain forces in the neighboring country to undermine the dialogue between Greece and Albania and to prevent the creation of good climate in the bilateral relations. He also noted the foreign ministry took immediate action and made clear that "we used all potential weapons of diplomacy." "These Chams that speak about changing the borders are isolated in Albania," he stated. During his recent trip to Tirana, he said, the Albanian Foreign Minister reiterated four times that "Albania is faithful to the Helsinki agreement and recognizes the borders as stated in this agreement and that such demands are illegal." [03] Interior Min Kouroumblis stresses to ANA-MPA the need for radical review of the ConstitutionInterior and Administrative Reconstruction Minister Panagiotis Kouroumblis in an article to ANA-MPA on Sunday stressed the need for a radical review of the Constitution."One issue that should be discussed before the review process begins is how we will ensure the correct interpretation institutionally, therefore the constitutional court," Kouroumblis said. He underlined that "the parties, the scientific institutions must start an open-minded dialogue in the society to mobilize the participatory mood of the people noting, among others, that such a participatory consultation "will increase the people's awareness on the principle that we should not grant to anyone the right to decide for me without me." The full interview is available in Greek at ANA-MPA website. [04] Labour Min Katrougalos announces sweeping changes in Constitution review proposalLabour Minister George Katrougalos on Sunday in an interview with Realnews newspaper announced sweeping changes in the government proposal for the Constitution review that will ensure the total change of the old political system.He referred to "new institutions of direct democracy, strengthening the freedoms and social rights and shielding the regime against the neo-liberal counter-revolution." Katrougalos characterised the "restart and restoration of the political system" as a "critical national issue" for which Article 44, par. 2 of the Constitution provides for a referendum. Finally, he dismissed rumours of cutting the two extra salaries and denied that the creditors have asked for that. [05] Alternate Environment Min Tsironis optimistic Greece can succeed"We had some very difficult times. We still have things to do. But we are optimistic that Greece can succeed. Greece has survived and can look ahead," Alternate Environment Minister Yiannis Tsironis on Sunday said in statements to ANA-MPA."It is certain that we will achieve the best possible result in the negotiations," he underlined and added: "We have already proved that we can manage to get through in more difficult situations like the one last summer and that one before the conclusion of the program review. We managed with prudence and unity to achieve the impossible. We managed to keep both Greece and the society intact and at the same time have a positive programme review." Regarding the Constitution review, he said that this is a government's promise and everyone in the democratic field agrees on its necessity. [06] KKE sec gen Koutsoumbas lashes out at governmentThe secretary general of the communist KKE party Dimitris Koutsoumbas on Sunday in an interview with ANA-MPA leveled against the government."The money comes along with the abolition of the rights of the working class," he said and added: "The choice of the Greeks to stay in the EU and the eurozone for the time being should not put an end to the discussion on the issue." Koutsoumbas explained that "the harsh measures will remain and probably get harsher because they come along with the profits of the monopolies either the capitalist Greece is or isn't a member of the EU and the eurozone." [07] The government cannot avoid the elections, ND vice president Chatzidakis says"The possibility of elections is open; the government cannot avoid them," New Democracy (ND) vice president Costis Chatzidakis said in an interview with ANA-MPA on Sunday.He underlined that New Democracy's demand for elections remains on the table and it stressed that it is not a move of tactics. Chatzidakis argued that the government's programme is not viable adding that "we are in the eurozone without a euro." He also noted that a government with SYRIZA in the helm cannot give a solution because "the problem is in its DNA." On the electoral law, he said that the government has specific interests adding that New Democracy is in favour of the approximate proportional representation. The full interview is available in Greek at ANA-MPA website. [08] Deputy Sports Min Kontonis expresses concern over security in Greek footballDeputy Sports Minister Stavros Kontonis in a letter to FIFA and UEFA expressed his concern over the isue of security in the Greek football sector and called on them to take the necessary measures in order to find a solution.As he said, the situation in the Greek football is "explosive." He underlined that the government will consider all its options in order to protect the legal order and not mourn dead people. General News [09] Majority of Greeks against early elections - Kappa ResearchThe majority of Greeks is against early elections and believes that the government should continue its work, according to a poll by Kappa Research conducted for newspaper To Vima and published on Sunday.More specifically, 52.5 pct of the participants said that more time should be given to the government to complete its work compared to 35.5 pct who said it is in favour of early elections. Asked which party they would vote for if elections were held today, 20.8 pct said New Democracy, 17.3 pct said SYRIZA, 5.9 pct said Golden Dawn, 5.1 pct said the Communist Party, 5.0 pct said Democratic Coalition (PASOK-DIMAR), 3.1 pct said the Union of Centrists, 2.3 pct said ANEL, 2.0 pct said Potami, 1.2 pct said Popular Unity. On the question of who they consider "most suitable for prime minister", participants gave Kyriakos Mitsotakis 29.1 pct and Alexis Tsipras 28.0 pct. The poll was conducted after the conclusion of the programme review. [10] Weather ForecastCloudy weather and northerly winds are forecast for Monday. Wind velocity will reach 7 on the Beaufort scale. Partly cloudy with possibility of rain the afternoon in the northern and western parts of the country with temperatures ranging from 13C-27C. Cloudy, chance of rain in the eastern parts and temperatures between 17C-26C. Scattered clouds over the Aegean islands and Crete, 18C-27C. Scattered clouds in the afternoon in Athens, 18C-29C. Clouds and rain in Thessaloniki, 20C-27C.[11] Athens Headlines at a glanceKATHIMERINI: The new generation of Greek migrants often visits the countryTO VIMA: The collapse of the middle class ETHNOS: The constitutional revision AVGHI: The keys of the electoral law RIZOSPASTIS: "Fair growth" for the capital, "contingent mechanism" for the people ELEFTHEROS TIPOS: Everything changes for 2.6 million pensioners REAL NEWS: Harsh response to Erdogan-Rama on Hagia Sophia and Chams PROTO THEMA: 40 new hot spots DIMOKRATIA: Venizelos' offshore companies LOGOS: Positive opening of the professions PRIN: The Greeks have not concluded their evaluation EPOCHI: Review or restructuring? 36, TSOCHA ST. ATHENS 115 21 GREECE - TEL: 64.00.560-63 - FAX: 64.00.581-2 INTERNET ADDRESS: http://www.ana.gr - E-MAIL: anabul@ana gr - GENERAL DIRECTOR: Michalis Psilos Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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