The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 10-05-06

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

CONTENTS

[01] Those Distanced Themselves from Party Line Kicked Out

Political turbulence has hit both the ruling party of PASOK (Panhellenic Socialist Movement) and main opposition ND (New Democracy) after some of their deputies distanced themselves from the party line at the voting of the package of austerity measures.

PASOK parliamentarians Sofia Sakorafa, Vassilis Oikonomou and Giannis Dimaras voted "present."

Prime Minister George Papandreou's reaction came shortly afterwards. He sent a letter to House Speaker Filippos Petsalnikos announcing his decision to exclude the three from the party's parliamentary group.

A PASOK senior official asked the three deputies to quit their seat. Sofia Sakorafa refused to do so. The other two have not answered yet.

At the main opposition party's camp, Dora Bakoyannis distanced herself from the party line and gave a positive vote to PASOK's austerity measures, forcing ND President Antonis Samaras to kick her out of the party's parliamentary group.

In a statement in black and white, Dora Bakoyannis elaborated on the reasons why she voted for the austerity measures. Bakoyannis said that her actions are based upon the country's interest and claimed full responsibility of her choices. Bakoyannis also blasted both the former and the present government, further noting that she felt sorry for Samaras' decision to have her kicked out of the party's parliamentary group. News item: 36278

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