The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 09-03-15

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From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] ND âLAOS Cooperation Ruled out

Government senior members have categorically ruled out any possibility of ND-LAOS pre-election or post election cooperation. Coalition scenarios have come to the forefront after latest polls' indications that a majority government could not emerge from parliamentary elections. On the grounds of coalition scenario talks, D. Bakoyianni-G. Karatzaferis dispute has taken up dimension of a personal dispute.

Bakoyianni-Karatzaferis Dispute

Results of latest polls showing, that a majority government could not be formed whenever elections are held, have given rise to coalition scenarios. FOCUS survey on behalf of "Real News" newspaper indicate that 42.5% of respondents believe that the ruling party would lose center-wing voters in the event of ND-LAOS coalition against 38.7% who believe that such a move would unite the center-right wing. The government, however, rules out coalition scenarios with LAOS with Foreign Minister D. Bakoyianni launching a strong attack against G. Karatzaferis. Speaking to "Real News" Mrs. Bakoyianni blames LAOS president for use of double language and irresponsibility and rules out any possibility of cooperation with his party. She also said that holding of elections was not a solution and there was no question raised about the leadership of ND party. Mrs. Bakoyiannis made similar statements on Saturday, in Thessaloniki. Commenting on her statements, LAOS president said that she was annoyed by his response to the Prime-minister's call, adding that postponement of elections disrupts her plans. On his part, Interior undersecretary, Kostas Gioulekas underlined that LAOS president response to the Prime-minister's call for consent was irrelevant to coalition talks. Health Minister Dimitris Abramopoulos said that the government has no need of cooperation while Education Minister Aris Spiliotopoulos stressed that the ND party has a parliament majority. In an interview with "Avgi" newspaper, former Education Minister Marietta Yiannakou described ND party's move to the right as a political suicide. Commenting on early election scenarios in an interview with "Kyriakatiki Eleftherotypia", Justice Minister, Nikos Dendias said: " The government is preoccupied with serious problems and not with forecasts about when elections are to be held".

Sources : ÍÅÔ - ÍÅÔ 105.8

News item: 20126

[02] G. Papandreou: Time for the Country to Change Course

"Now it is time for the country to change its course," stressed PASOK (Panhellenic Socialist Movement) President George Papandreou while addressing a political event in the northern Greek city of Veria. "Let's give the people of Greece the chance to decide: PASOK or ND? A way out of the crisis or bankruptcy? A decent livings or poverty? Security or Insecurity? Jobs or unemployment? With the bankers or with the citizens? Social sensitivity or slow response?" Papandreou underlined there is an alternative path and that the people will opt for the Socialist party for a citizen-friendly state and a human-oriented society.

Greece has found itself at a crucial crossroad and what is at stake is whether it will keep the same catastrophic fall or change course, said the Socialist leader, who blamed the government's policy for causing insecurity. "Robberies have become a routine, gun use and shootings have turned into an everyday phenomenon and jailbreaks have become an international joke. The state is collapsing," commented he.

Papandreou then went on to argue that the government cannot guarantee the country's equal participation in the international development and puts up with Turkey's provocations in the Aegean.

The Socialist head unveiled his party's proposals pertaining to agricultural affairs, saying that PASOK had warned the government of the looming problems, but it preferred to turn a deaf ear.

With regard to welfare policy, Papandreou stressed that no one should demand a pensioner earning 600 euros and a worker earning 1,500 euros make sacrifices.

"Now it is time for the others, the few, the rich and the strong, the privileged of the last five-year period to make an equal contribution. For PASOK, social state does not mean charity," claimed Papandreou.

He further slammed the corruption cases in the public administration, noting that people are everyday experiencing a state of corruption and ineffectiveness.

Answering the question whether PASOK can be successful, he said, "Yes, we can and we will prove it in action. Now it is time we assisted the weak." He called on the Greeks to join forces for a national, social pact. A confidence pact for a new era that will take the unemployed out of the margin and the poor out of poverty.

The PASOK President also touched on the problems the people of Veria face and accused the government for indifference. He then went on to propose "green development" with a new development model capable of making the best of the countryside's prospects.

Focusing his attention to the farmers, he said they need immediate measures that will bring production cost down and support their income.

Touching on the June elections for the European Parliament, Papandreou said that the EU needs institutional changes that will allow the member-states to play their part in development with public investments that will not weigh their deficit down.

"The crisis has brought to the surface the problems of modern Europe, which should not focus on the market and the single currency only. We are fighting for a Europe with objectives an policies favouring a human-oriented model, a development model that invests in knowledge and innovation," commented Papandreou.

Later in the evening, the Socialist leader is due to depart for Frankfurt to meet with European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet and its Vice-President Loucas Papadimas.

Papandreou-Simitis Rapprochement

Statements of PASOK senior members in Sunday's press indicate satisfaction at Papandreou-Simitis rapprochement. PASOK secretary Yiannis Ragousis stressed: "Mr. Simitis is a capital for the country". Evangelos Benizelos also expressed satisfaction while Andreas Loberdos said that Kostas Simitis symbolizes the government part of PASOK. In parallel, FOCUS survey indicates that 46.7% of respondents against 25.7% believe that Papandreou-Simitis rapprochement would benefit PASOK

News item: 20123

[03] SYN Leader Aspires to More Than 7% in EU Elections

Commenting on the forthcoming elections for the European Parliament in his interview with Sunday paper Kyriakatiki Eleftherotypia, SYN President Alexis Tsipras aimed higher than the expectation of 7 percent set by Alekos Alavanos, head of SYRIZA's parliamentary group.

"I won't be satisfied with 7 percent, nor with 14 percent. I will be satisfied only if the forthcoming crucial elections for the European Parliament report a radical reversal of powers."

Shifting his focus on the financial crisis, he called Commission and EcoFin the "Vatican" of the crisis, further adding that SYN has no intention of playing the part of local bishops.

News item: 20120

[04] Papariga Lashes out at SYRIZA

Aleka Papariga, KKE (Greek Communist Party) secretary general, blasted, in her interview with Sunday paper Kathimerini tis Kyriakis, SYRIZA (Coalition of the Radical Left) for opportunism and for nourishing bankrupt Socialdemocratic ideas. "Yesterday, it [SYRIZA] was a staunch supporter of Maastricht and EMU and slammed KKE for being out-of-date, as it was fighting the EU solution. Now, they claim that the EU can become more labour-friendly."

Aleka Papariga clarified what she meant when she said that SYRIZA had been caressing the hooded rioters, noting that she meant nothing more than what SYRIZA's leading officials said, stressing:

"Just remember how easy they adopted and reproduced the covers of newspapers speaking of a 'revolt' and 'storms of the youths into police stations,' associating the concerted activities of some hooded rioters with petrol bombs with tens of thousands of students and workers who took to the streets to protest both the killing of the 15yo schoolboy and the serious problems they face."

Aleka Papariga then went on to estimate that the financial crisis in Greece will be acute, further adding that it has just begun. The crisis, she continued, is due to capitalism and it is neither the first nor the last.

Commenting on the possible collapse of the SE European economies, she claimed: "Both ND (Conservatives) and PASOK (Socialists) should apologize for making the upgrading of Greece in the region the spearhead of their policy."

Source: NET

News item: 20119

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