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Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-08-18Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] PM Costas Karamanlis calls for strong popular mandate in electionsPrime Minister Costas Karamanlis, addressing his ruling New Democracy party's Parliamentary Group on Saturday, called for a strong popular mandate in general elections set for September 16. "National interest requires the immediate resorting to the people, it necessitates the immediate proclamation of elections. We call for a strong popular mandate to enable us to continue the changes and reforms that the country needs," the prime minister said. Karamanlis went on to say that the government is forging ahead with a full sense of national responsibility, with optimism in the future of the country and with confidence in Greek men and women. He stressed that he is seeking the renewal of the popular mandate "to enable us to continue the reforms that improve the effectiveness of the state, to continue the policies that strengthen social cohesion."Karamanlis noted that "the time for elections has come" and explained that September 16 is linked, first of all, to the first budget that is being prepared following the country's leaving the excessive deficit process. He further underlined that the government is obliged to table a draft budget in Parliament on October 1, adding that giving the new government the necessary time to prepare itself was an issue of political responsibility. Karamanlis also said that the time for elections is also linked to the revision of the constitution, saying that "this great institutional reform is not only necessary but it is imperative from the point of view of time as well to enable us to have, as soon as possible, that institutional framework that will strengthen transparency in public life, boost the effectiveness of justice and widen the potential of education even more through the revision of article 16." Making an account of government policy, Karamanlis said that during the period his government has been in power, it went ahead with the mildest fiscal adjustment possible and also secured strong and viable growth. "We know that those who feel political weakness will heighten the effort for polarisation, political tension, fanaticism. They will not even hesitate to resort to abuse and slander. We shall not follow them. The recipes of tension and abuse belong to the past," Karamanlis concluded, in referring to the upcoming elections. CAPTION: ANA-MPA file photo of Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis. [02] Alekos Alavanos on elections, SYRIZACoalition (Synaspismos) party leader Alekos Alavanos, speaking after an extraordinary meeting of the party's Political Secretariat on Saturday, said that the Coalition is a pioneering, substantive, movement, alternative and unifying opposition that has proposals.Alavanos expressed his optimism over the Coalition's future and his emotion since, as he said, it was his last public statement as Coalition president as from now on he will be the formal leader of the SYRIZA (Coalition of the Radical Left) movement. He said that little time was left until the elections, but not for SYRIZA since it has three-and-a-half years of strong action at all levels of political and social life behind it, adding that "we have enough time to meet again in front of the ballot boxes." Referring to the destruction of the country's forests, Alavanos said that "ecology is at the focal point of our action. And our action is condensed in the triptych: young generation, the young generation comes first, ecology, social state." CAPTION: ANA-MPA file photo of Coalition (Synaspismos) leader Alekos Alavanos. [03] Archbishop Christodoulos leaves for U.S.Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos left from Elefsina military airport shortly after 9 on Saturday morning on a flight to Miami, in the United States, to undergo liver transplant surgery.The Archbishop's departure was attended by Defence Minister Evangelos Meimarakis, Education and Religion Minister Marietta Yiannakou, Health and Social Solidarity Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos, the leader of the out-of-Parliament Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) party George Karatzaferis and many senior clergymen. Speaking before his departure, Archbishop Christodoulos revealed that Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis gave him his personal amulet when he visited him on Friday night to help him return in good health. He thanked Karamanlis and his government for their interest in his person and referred in particular to the love of the people that strengthens his internal spiritual power. The Archbishop further referred to the work of the Church during his absence and stressed that the Holy Synod will be addressing all issues. Archbishop Christodoulos added that he will be in constant contact with the Holy Synod, from where he will be, and called for the prayers of all, as well as for their love and interest. CAPTION: Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos boarding a flight for Miami on Saturday, August 18, 2007. ANA-MPA/ATHENS ARCHDIOCESE'S PRESS OFFICE/CHRISTOS BONIS. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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