The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-03-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] At Parliament Late Friday Evening

29 Mar 2008 00:50:00 (Last updated: 29 Mar 2008 10:51:48)

PASOKs censure motion against the government was rejected by 152 votes to 138 late Friday evening.

PASOK (Socialists) KKE (Greek Communist Party), SYRIZA (Coalition of the Radical Left) voted for the censure motion, while ND MPs and independent MP Kostas Koukodimos voted against. The 10 LAOS (Popular Orthodox Rally) MPs did not vote. The roll call vote was preceded by the political party leaders speeches.

Political Party Leaders' Positions

In his speech, Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis stressed the governments determination to proceed with its reforms as it is thinks of the people and the future. He described PASOKs censure motion a hopeless effort to prevent its deterioration and cover the lack of a stance. In parallel, he attacked SYRIZA, accusing it of adopting sterile negation and backward positions.

PASOK President George Papandreou maintained that the governments policy is in total disharmony with the Greek peoples choices, adding that after the debate on the referendum, he will be propose the setting up of an Examining Committee that will look into the bonds scandal. Furthermore, he reported that his party would continue its struggle against the ND party.

KKE Secretary General Aleka Papariga launched an attack against the ND and PASOK parties, arguing that their policies do not differ, adding that KKE supports the idea for a referendum on the Social Security issue.

SYRIZA Parliamentary leader Alekos Alavanos described the Social Security bill anti-constitutional, adding that the government should fall before it materializes its plans.

Finally, LAOS leader George Karatzaferis reported he supports the idea of a referendum on the Social Security issue and the FYROM name issue.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

Voting Held Tonight

[02] Poor Weather to Abate

Sources: ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA-ÌPA

Local rain is expected in the eastern and southern Greece, storms in the Cyclades, Crete and the Dodecanese, while 8 Beaufort strong northerly winds will be blowing locally in the Aegean Sea.

Meanwhile, the torrential rain that hit northern and eastern Peloponnese in the last 24 hours caused problems to railways service. As a result the railway line from Kiato to Diakofto is not operating temporarily for safety reasons.

Passengers will be using busses instead until checks are carried out on the line.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

Bad Weather Forecast

[03] Summer Time

Greece is going into summer time. At 03:00 on Sunday, clocks will be set one hour ahead to read 04:00. The change of time has been set by a European Union directive ands will be in force until the last Sunday of October.

Translated by John Crystallidis

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