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Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-12-20
CONTENTS
[01] Greek Parliament passes 2008 state budget
[01] Greek Parliament passes 2008 state budget
The Greek Parliament early Friday voted in favour of the New Democracy
(ND) governmentâs 2008 state budget with 152 votes for, 148 against and
no abstentions. All 300 deputies voted. Prime Minister Costas
Karamanlis reiterated on Thursday night his "determination to go ahead
with the necessary changes and reforms the country needs." Closing a
five-day Parliamentary debate before a vote on the 2008 state budget,
the prime minister said: "We have opted for the road of action,
responsibility and results, and I am determined to defend and continue
on this road. The changes and reforms which are necessary will be
implemented." "It is the only strategy that gives solutions to
misfunctions which kept the country stagnant, weak and stuck, it is the
only option of policy and responsibility and I do not negotiate on it,"
Karamanlis emphasised.
The mandate given in the September 16 general elections is a
committment to citizens for speeding up reforms, the premier said,
adding: "The mandate by the citizens is a committment and I am
determined to strictly abide by it."
At the same time, Prime Minister Karamanlis accused the main opposition
PASOK party of "dressing up obstacles to reforms, cultivating fear
vis-a-vis necessary changes and of refusing, without shame, dialogue,
understanding on actions baring responsibility, even on important
procedures such as the revision of the Constitution."
"Refusal of dialogue is an extreme, consrvative and anti-popular
stance," he said.
Caption: Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis addresses Parliament during
the debate on the 2008 state budget on Thursday, December 20, 2007.
ANA-MPA/ALEXANDROS BELTES.
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