Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-08-22

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] PM chairs top gov't meeting; new armed forces chief announced

[02] KKE unveils candidates for Sept. election

[01] PM chairs top gov't meeting; new armed forces chief announced

The out-going armed forces chief of staff, Adm. Panayiotis Hinofotis, resigned on Tuesday and was replaced on Wednesday by the current head of the army's general staff, Gen. Dimitris Grapsas.

A day earlier, Karamanlis also chaired a meeting of his ruling New Democracy party's political council, which expectedly focused on preparations of the ruling party's candidate lists.

Speaking after the meeting, Karamanlis said ND will announce candidates that are capable and distinguished; citizens who serve the party's overture to society and who are determined to work for the changes the country needs.

The prime minister stressed that in 2004 the government opened a cycle of reforms that are leading society ahead, in the economy, education, the public administration the citizens' day-to-day life.

"All of us together succeeded in achieving the country's departure from the excessive deficit process. The fiscal deficit decreased for the first time since our accession to EMU, from 7.9 percent to 2.6 percent of GDP," he said, adding that this was a "considerable national success."

Karamanlis mentioned that the economy's growth rates are among the highest in the eurozone; that unemployment decreased from 11.3 percent in the first quarter of 2004 to 7.7 percent in May 2007, as was announced earlier by the National Statistical Service.

He further pointed out that exports are increasing, international interest in investing in Greece is heightening, entrepreneurship is rising whereas tourist arrivals are increasing impressively and inflation is at the lowest levels of the past decade. Karamanlis also referred to a handful of international energy agreements placing the country on the international energy map.

Karamanlis underlined that the top priorities of his government's new term are revision of the Constitution, tackling the social security issue, improving the country's administrative structure, education reform and the consolidation of a substantive social state.

"I wish to stress once again that what was not feasible for the others is not enough for us. We have achieved a great deal, but much more is needed," the prime minister said.

Lastly, Karamanlis said New Democracy is requesting a "new and strong popular mandate to enable it to continue efforts to achieve a Greece we are all envisaging."

Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of PM Costas Karamanlis.

[02] KKE unveils candidates for Sept. election

Papariga herself will appear on the first and second Athens election districts, as party leaders in Greece have the right to stand in two separate districts.

Among others, she noted that the primary characteristic of the Greek communist party's ballots is the fact that a majority of candidates are workers and wage-earners (roughly 70 percent), of which 35 percent are college graduates. Additionally, roughly 41 percent of the party's candidates for the Sept. 16 election are newcomers, with one-fifth under the age of 35 and with women candidates making up 23 percent of the lists.

Caption: KKE leader Aleka Papariga. ANA-MPA

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