Subject: Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-05-15 From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" CONTENTS [01] Golden Dawn MP Kasidiaris ejected from parliament session [02] Greek budget records 1.735-bln-euro primary surplus in Jan-April [03] Balanced and manageable agreement, says Administrative Reform Min Gerovassili [04] Ships to remain docked on Tuesday and Wednesday --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [01] Golden Dawn MP Kasidiaris ejected from parliament session Extreme-right Golden Dawn party deputy Ilias Kasidiaris pushed back New Democracy parliamentary spokesman Nikos Dendias on Monday in Parliament when main opposition spokesman walked in front of Kasidiaris while the latter was addressing a session of the House's Financial Affairs Committee. He also verbally assaulted the main opposition spokesman and refused to leave the parliament. "We will not allow such fascist behaviours," SYRIZA deputy Nikos Mantas said. ND MP Makis Voridis responded to the incident by demanding the Golden Dawn's entire parliamentary group be expelled from the proceedings, saying that "they all behaved in a reprehensible manner." Meanwhile, committee chair Makis Balaouras ordered his immediate removal from the parliament. Balaouras has also filed a motion of censure against Kasidiaris and Golden Dawn entire parliamentary group which was accepted. [02] Greek budget records 1.735-bln-euro primary surplus in Jan-April Greek budget recorded a primary surplus of 1.735 billion euros in the January-April period this year, from a primary surplus of 1.906 billion in the same period last year and a budget target for a primary surplus of 798 million. The general government's deficit was 1.333 billion euros in the four-month period, from a shortfall of 973 million in 2016 and a budget target for a shortfall of 2.042 billion euros. State budget net revenue was 15.309 billion euros in the January-April period, down 819 million euros or 5.1 pct from budget targets. Regular budget net revenue amounted to 14.567 billion euros, down 152 million or 1.0 pct from budget targets. Revenue returns (excluding returns from a state arrears program) totaled 1.262 billion euros in the four-month period, up 284 million from targets, while Public Investment Program revenue was 742 million euros, down 666 million from targets. State budget net revenue was 3.892 billion euros in April, up 179 million from monthly targets. Regular budget net revenue was 3.801 billion, up 710 million from monthly targets, while Public Investment Program's revenue was 91 million euros, down 531 million from targets. Revenue returns was 249 million euros, up 33 million from targets. State budget spending was 16.442 billion euros in the four-month period, down 1.728 billion from targets. Regular budget spending was 15.907 billion euros, down 1.159 billion from targets. Regular budget spending was down 164 million euros from the same period in 2016, while Public Investment Program spending was 535 million euros, down 569 million from targets. In April, state budget spending was 3.660 billion euros, down 686 million from monthly targets, while regular budget spending totaled 3.491 billion euros, down 403 million from targets. Public Investment Program spending was 169 million euros, down 284 million from targets. [03] Balanced and manageable agreement, says Administrative Reform Min Gerovassili "It is a balanced, sustainable and manageable agreement that constitutes an exit step from the harsh supervision" stated Administrative Reform Minister Olga Gerovassili and estimated that the provisions will be voted on Thursday evening. "I want to see who will not vote the reduction of tax rates, the solidarity contribution and the deduction of the contribution in medicine expenses" noted Gerovassili speaking to SKAI TV on Monday. The minister said that the government does not deviate from what it signed in 2015 adding that the memorandum ends in 2018 while she said that the forecasts from 2019 and afterwards are included in the framework of the mid-term programme that all EU countries are obliged to submit. Gerovassili noted that if there is a debt settlement then the country will be led to growth adding "If the IMF does not participate in the programme then nothing of the latter exists. We will then move within the context we have signed with the European for 3.5 percent primary surplus" she explained. [04] Ships to remain docked on Tuesday and Wednesday Hellenic Seamen's Federation has declared a 48 hour strike in all ship categories for Tuesday and Wednesday. The federation will convene on Tuesday to decide on their next steps. Passengers due to travel in the next days should contact the travel agencies on possible changes or cancellations of their trip.