Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 12-04-23

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] ND economic platform unveiled

[02] Leftist parties criticise ND leader

[03] ND leader Samaras calls for clear mandate and majority 'to change everything'

[04] Venizelos: Greece will stand on its own feet again in 2015

[05] PASOK party leader Venizelos addresses rally in Ioannina, replies to ND leader Samaras

[06] PASOK party leader on results of first round of French presidential elections

[07] PASOK party completes tickets in all electoral constituencies

[08] Papariga: The only hope is in the hands of the working class

[09] Karatzaferis: Go to the polls with a cool mind, not with anger

[10] LAOS party leader on May 6 elections

[11] Tsipras says memorandum or democracy at stake in elections

[12] Tsipras visiting Rethimno and Iraklio on Saturday

[13] A total of 36 parties submit applications for participation in general elections

[14] Ultra-right Chryssi Avghi attack on PASOK candidate, audience in Maroussi, drawing condemnation of other political parties

[15] ERT administration reacts to POSPERT strike

[16] Foreign Exchange rates - Monday

[17] Events in memory of Armenian genocide

[18] Event for Holocaust victims in Thessaloniki

[19] Sailboat with approx. 60 illegal immigrants runs aground off Agistri island

[20] Police arrest man after international arrest warrant issued

[21] Police intercept truck in Megara carrying 543 kg of unprocessed cannabis

[22] Tanker runs aground in west of Thermaikos Gulf

[23] Tanker dislodged without causing marine pollution

[24] More than one ton of cannabis seized, three arrested, in raid on apartment in Voula

[25] Part of Saint George remains stolen in Thessaloniki

[26] Burglars make off with 25,000 euros from home in Nea Makri

[27] Man arrested for raping minor

[28] Super League results

[29] Athens' Sunday newspapers at a glance Politics

[01] ND economic platform unveiled

ND's target, he said, is to "change everything both the system of governance and the growth model", adding that next month's elections would be the most critical since those of 1974 (after the collapse of the military dictatorship).

"Until now, we were spending borrowed money and putting our children into debt, we produced increasingly less and consumed increasingly more. This must change.

Our democracy has a problem, the rights of the many are trodden on by the privileges of the few, the party armies are fighting against the private sector, the guilds are crushing those who are trying to live from the market," he said.

Samaras said that Greece "has wealth, its natural wealth, its mineral wealth, its energy reserves, but also the Greek acumen which, if we exploit these on the international markets, we will have growth".

He further announced that he will unveil the ND programme for changing the system of governance on Sunday.

Elaborating on the economic platform, Samaras rejected cuts of the so-called 13th and 14th salaries (full-salary Christmas bonus and half-salary Easter and summer holiday bonuses) in the private sector and further across-the-board cuts in pensions, and also pledged relief measures for loan-holders.

"We must change everything in order to salvage our democracy. And when we say everything, we mean everything. Both the production model and the system of governance," he said.

Noting that the upcoming elections will mark the "end of the post-dictatorship era", Samaras said that the biggest failure of the post-dictatorship period was that "it led a country with immense wealth to bankruptcy", and added: "We believe in Greece and its wealth".

Samaras pledged that in the first six weeks in government, ND will legislate four important laws: the first on social transfers, the second on taxation and the third on cutting state spending and containing wasteful spending, while the fourth will be an omnibus bill for growth, with the necessary institutional interventions to pull the economy out of the quagmire of bureaucracy and corruption.

The ND leader stressed that his party backs the target of reducing the deficit and debt and accepts the fundamental policies of privatisations, adding, however that there must be a faster recovery and correction of the injustices, in order to have social cohesion.

"We will improve the very low pensions and large-family (four children or more) benefits. How? With measures of equal yield, something that has been also accepted by our partners. The equal yield measures for these are 550 million euros and could indicatively be found through increasing the tax on winnings from the OPAP (state-run soccer and betting pool) betting games, and from reduction of the DEKO (public utilities and organisations) deficits," Samaras said, adding that the state expenditures that can be reduced without affecting the salaries and quality of the services rendered have been examined, and such cuts would immediately result in savings of 400 million euros annually.

Samaras also pledged measures to relieve borrowers, stressing that "the loan installment should not exceed 30 percent of their monthly income", while "those who have a big (financial) problem will pay only interest for a period of three years, a measure that will relieve the households and can be withstood by the banks".

On the private bond-holders who lost their "life's earnings" from the haircut of the Greek debt, he said that they must be compensated, and "there is a way to do this, mainly through tax reliefs in future years".

As for the 11.5 billion euros that need to be found in lieu of new measures anticipated in June, he said this could be generated from containment of wasteful state spending. "We have submitted specific proposals for cuts of 18 billion euros. And with the growth of the economy, for every one percent that recession is reduced, the deficit is reduced by one billion euros," he added.

Samaras also referred to the loss-incurring DEKO that will be put up for privatisation, noting that the networks and infrastructures themselves will remain in state hands, but their operation will be privatised.

"If we don't privatise TRENOSE (the OSE intercity train company's operator), soon it will be worthless. The investments in railways will bring generalised growth. Everything that can be privatised will be privatised, and interest has been expressed by Russians, French, etc.," he said, adding that "the privatisation of energy requires strategic planning".

As for how recovery will be achieved more quickly, Samaras noted first of all the 14.5 billion euros in Community funds of the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) that must be absorbed over the next three years. Second, by ensuring liquidity on the market, noting that the recapitalisation of the banks will give rise to margins while there will also be reinforcement from the European Central Bank. Third, through the rebate to businesses of the 6.5 billion euros owed to them by the state.

He further said that his government will proceed with concession contracts, for example of the regional ports and airports, while it will also develop special programmes for the unemployed youth with existing European funds.

On tax policy, he spoke of a "timetable for reducing taxes after we have clamped down on tax evasion", pledging a reduction of the tax rate for legal entities to 15 percent, a tax amnesty for returning deposits from abroad, establishment of a three-tier VAT of 19 percent, 9 percent and 5 percent, and reduction of taxes for individuals.

Along general terms, in the context of reform of the taxation system, he said that the tax rates will be reduced, the contact between tax officer and taxpayer will be reduced, and penalties for tax-dodgers will be increased, while the real estate surtax will be replaced by a new, single tax on properties that will be "fairer and more efficient".

Samaras further pledged to stamp out bureaucracy, beginning with the government. "We will begin with 15 ministries initially, and reduce them to 10 ministries by the end of the four-year term of office," he said indicatively, adding that the state services, which today are many and scattered, will be unified.

A specific chapter of the platform deals with reducing bureaucracy that obstructs the development of entrepreneurship. Samaras pledged 'fast track' procedures for all the significant investments, and the establishment of a special service to unblock investments, offset debts to and from the state, and the establishment of a general secretariat for extroversion.

H further announced programmes to reduce the energy cost and programmes for the verticalisation and export of primary production products, increasing tourism, and a developmental programme for the management of water resources, and a policy on exports.

"We will de-vilify entrepreneurship. The businessman is a friend of the Greek people," Samaras said.

He added that "Europe's umbrella" is needed for the materialisation of his policy, noting his target of a strong mandate and parliamentary majority in order to implement his programme.

[02] Leftist parties criticise ND leader

KKE underlines the "responsibilities of ND and of Samaras personally in the shaping of the present situation." KKE stresses that Samaras attempted to show as "a new model" the speedup on the "familiar capitalist path of growth, that has already led the working class family to a course of bankruptcy and to the deep economic crisis, while it is having in store even greater woes without end for the people, on the altar of the capital's profit-making."

SYRIZA said in its own announcement that the ND leader "is an unrepentant supporter of the disastrous policies of the memorandum, the reductions in salaries and pensions, the sellout of public wealth, the dissolution of the social state, the decrease in taxation for capital."

[03] ND leader Samaras calls for clear mandate and majority 'to change everything'

"We are the party that breaks off with yesterday, it looks ahead and takes the fortunes of the country in its hands. Until now the others were shouting, now we are speaking and instead of the cries of confusion the speech of hope is being heard," Samaras said and added that "we shall not do half, we must do everything, because what we are saying does not require money that does not exist, it requires responsibility and determination."

Samaras placed his own dilemma saying that "on May 6 the Greek people shall decide whether they want us to change everything or for us to remain adherred to the past." However he appeared optimistic that "the Greek people will decide for us to change everything. On May 7 there shall be salvation and the rennaissance of the economy shall begin."

[04] Venizelos: Greece will stand on its own feet again in 2015

The solution, he said, is for PASOK to emerge as the top party in the May 6 general elections so that it can take Greece out of the impasse, adding that manufactured parliamentary majorities are not sufficient, and that a strong legitimisation and mandate is required.

PASOK, he continued, proposes a specific path for overcoming the Memorandum, noting that "we are half-way down that road, we are approaching the end, and in 2015 the country will be able to stand again on its own feet and come out of the Memorandum".

Venizelos pledged that there will no across-the-board cuts in incomes, that low salary and pension earners will not be affected, that new taxes will not be imposed, and that the extraordinary surtaxes will be gradually eliminated.

"Anyone saying more than these, knowing the economic condition and the numbers, is misleading the Greek people," he charged.

Venizelos was on a campaign tour of Kozani and Ioannina on Sunday.

[05] PASOK party leader Venizelos addresses rally in Ioannina, replies to ND leader Samaras

He termed "inapplicable" all that Samaras announced, he said that there is nothing worse than announcements that will not be implemented and commented "we are waiting impatiently for Zappion 4, Zappion 5, Zappion 6, because each one of these reverses the previous one. Zappion 3 has nothing to do with Zappion 1 and its antimemorandum policy."

Venizelos accused Samaras of a "trade of illusions", that on certain issues he is telling "lies" and on others he "makes announcements that are already being implemented."

[06] PASOK party leader on results of first round of French presidential elections

"The omens for the victory of Francois Hollande in the second round and the election to the presidency of the republic are now very strong. I congratulate him for his success in the first round and I wish him a great Europeanwide level victory in the second round, the day on which the Greek elections will also be taking place."

[07] PASOK party completes tickets in all electoral constituencies

[08] Papariga: The only hope is in the hands of the working class

Addressing a campaign rally, she also warned the voters against being deluded by the forces championing the creation of an "anti-Memorandum government" because whatever government emerges will only worsen the situation of the working people because the crisis will deepen, not only in Greece but throughout Europe.

Consequently, Papariga stressed, the only hope is in the hands of the working class and its allies, which are fighting against the monopolies.

She reaffirmed the KKE's refusal to take part in any coalition government and its determination to continue its struggle for popular authority, although such a prospect does not exist today.

[09] Karatzaferis: Go to the polls with a cool mind, not with anger

"We can be angry until Sunday morning. But we must go to the polls on Sunday in absolute calm. Greece's future is at stake," he continued

He also said that, given the current situation, a strong LAOS presence is necessary in the next parliament, warning that the "morning after" the elections will be a difficult day if the same policy is continued: "Either we resist, or we will go hungry in humiliation".

[10] LAOS party leader on May 6 elections

Referring to the May 6 general elections, Karatzaferis said that the electorate must not vote with its justified indignation as its criterion but with the criterion of logic and the country's needs.

[11] Tsipras says memorandum or democracy at stake in elections

Tsipras claimed that the second memorandum constitutes the common programme between ND and PASOK translated into Greek and pointed out that if all that is acticipated in the memorandum is implemented, he greatly fears that Greece will find itself outside the euro and the EU.

[12] Tsipras visiting Rethimno and Iraklio on Saturday

Meanwhile, speaking in the city of Hania on Friday evening, Tsipras called on the citizens to condemn the memorandum parties, PASOK and New Democracy, in the May 6 elections and to send them where they deserve to be, to the oblivion and disreputability of history.

Tsipras added that the dilemma in the polls will be one alone: joint governance of the partners of two-party rule and the continuation of the disaster, the deepening of poverty and impoverishment, or the strengthening of SYRIZA and a new power coalition with the forces of the left being the nucleus.

[13] A total of 36 parties submit applications for participation in general elections

The Supreme Court's A' Department will examine the legality of the applications and will proceed with their proclamation.

[14] Ultra-right Chryssi Avghi attack on PASOK candidate, audience in Maroussi, drawing condemnation of other political parties

Saturday marked the 'black anniversary' of the April 21, 1967 military coup in Greece.

The Chryssi Avghi members, dressed in uniforms and waving flags, marched in military formation around Maroussi square where Efthymiou was holding an open discussion with a group of approximately 50 local residents, passing out campaign material of Chryssi Avghi candidates, before launching an attack with bottles, glasses and other items from the tables set up in the square at Efthymiou and his audience.

"There is no room in Greece for violence. There is no room for their fascist ideology. We witnessed fascism in the past, and there is no possibility that the Greek society will allow such phenomena to be repeated. We stayed, they left. This, I believe, will be the Greek people's response to the Chryssi Avghi neo-fascists on May 6 (general elections). Greece deserves a much better destiny, and united, we Greeks can achieve it against those who want violence and an anti-democracy diversion," Efthymiou said later, adding that it was only by luck that no one was injured in the incident.

PASOK spokesperson Fofi Gennimata, in a statement later, said that "45 years after the colonels' coup, the Chryssi Avghi supporters selected April 21 to exert violence at an event of PASOK candidate Efthymiou", and called on the political forces to condemn the incident and form a front to safeguard the country's democratic institutions.

PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos, during a campaign rally in Lamia, also condemned the attack as "blatant political violence", adding that "parliament cannot become a reception space for the followers of Nazism and fascism.

New Democracy (ND), in a statement by party spokesman Yiannis Michelakis, strongly condemned "once again violence from wherever it emanates and regardless of whatever pretext cited". April 21 "is a day of remembrance of a black anniversary and, unfortunately, some wanted to bring it back to our memory. The hooded troublemakers and nostalgics of Hitler are a shame for all of us. They are a stigma for Democracy," Michelakis said, adding that "the Greek people will crush the nostalgics of the eras that led our country to tragedies..."

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE), in a statement, said that 'the fascist Chryssi Avghi is not only not an anti-system organisation as it presents itself, but an offspring of the capitalist system, its reserve, in order to crush the working class and poor strata".

The Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA parliamentary alliance) condemned the incident by Chryssi Avghi "which attempted, on the black anniversary of the April 21 coup, to make a show of strength".

Financial News

[15] ERT administration reacts to POSPERT strike

It was added that "POSPERT's leadership violating every sense of legality called a strike defending petty trade union interests that only concern a limited number of ERT's employees, undermining the company's reliability and the real interests of the overwhelming majority of those working for it."

[16] Foreign Exchange rates - Monday

U.S. dollar 1.339

Pound sterling 0.831

Danish kroner 7.550

Swedish kroner 8.972

Japanese yen 109.43

Swiss franc 1.219

Norwegian kroner 7.660

Canadian dollar 1.327

Australian dollar 1.292

General News

[17] Events in memory of Armenian genocide

The event was held at the War Museum in the presence of Culture Minister Pavlos Geroulanos, representatives of parties, local administration, the Greek armed forces, the Church and representatives of embassies and foreign defence attaches.

In a related event, international relations professor and former rector of the Macedonia University, Ilias Kouskouvelis, the main speaker at the main event of the Armenian National Committee on the memory day of the Genocide of the Armenians (1915) in Thessaloniki, expressed the conviction that the organisations dealing with the prevention of genocides and the application of justice must coordinate themselves in the direction of the recognition of three genocides, Armenians, Pontians and Assyrians, as is the case in Sweden.

[18] Event for Holocaust victims in Thessaloniki

At 11:30 in the morning, the Jewish community of Thessaloniki mourned with the memorial service the victims of the Holocaust, including 50,000 Greek Jews of Thessaloniki, who were annihilated by Nazi inhumanity, when in the spring of 1943 the plan for their elimination was implemented.

[19] Sailboat with approx. 60 illegal immigrants runs aground off Agistri island

The migrants were picked up by Coast Guard boats, which were alerted by local residents, and were put up at municipal facilities and provided with food and water.

The sailboat's skipper managed to flee and is being sought.

[20] Police arrest man after international arrest warrant issued

An arrest warrant was pending against him by the Belgian authorities according to which he is being accused for a detainee's escape, forgery and the use of forged documents and indecency against persons, as well as for participation in a criminal organisation.

The arrested man will be brought before a prosecutor in the city of Ioannina for the procedure for his extradition to Belgium to begin.

[21] Police intercept truck in Megara carrying 543 kg of unprocessed cannabis

An ensuing search of the vehicle, that was equipped with Bulgarian licence plates, led to the discovery of 540 packages containing unprocessed cannabis and having a total weight of 543 kilos and 206 grams.

The arrested man will be brought before a prosecutor in Athens, while investigations are continuing for the identification of more people involved in the case.

[22] Tanker runs aground in west of Thermaikos Gulf

The Thessaloniki harbour master told AMNA that it is the Greek tanker "Blue Ocean", that ran aground at the location of Paliomana and is loaded with oil.

A tugboat is at the scene and according to the harbour master no pollution has taken place in the sea region so far.

[23] Tanker dislodged without causing marine pollution

The Greek-owned "Blue Ocean", with a 14-member crew on board, was dislodged with the assistance of two tugboats, and later anchored in the port of Thessaloniki.

[24] More than one ton of cannabis seized, three arrested, in raid on apartment in Voula

The Coast Guard, in a joint operation with the National Information Service (EYP), raided the apartment in Voula and arrested three people, including one woman, while a fourth accomplice, currently serving a prison sentence on the island of Chios, is also being charged in the case.

The four are alleged to be members of an international narcotics trafficking ring, and are charged with setting up a criminal organisation smuggling large quantities of cannabis into Greece on speedboats and subsequently smuggling the narcotics out of Greece to countries in western Europe in refrigerator trucks.

One of the suspects initially managed to escape but was arrested hours later in a private clinic in nearby Glyfada.

Authorities seized 1 ton and 89 kilograms of cannabis, 2 refrigerator trucks, a private car and 100,000 euros in cash.

[25] Part of Saint George remains stolen in Thessaloniki

The two men were arrested on Saturday, the one in downtown Thessaloniki and the second in the region of the city of Serres, while a file of proceedings was prepared against them for a "criminal organisation" and "distinguished cases of theft." The items stolen were sold, with the exception of the remains which together with the metallic clasp of the relic case were found in the possession of the one and were confiscated.

[26] Burglars make off with 25,000 euros from home in Nea Makri

The burglars entered the house from an unlocked balcony door, held the owner at gunpoint and took the money and valuables from a safe before fleeing.

Police are investigating the incident.

[27] Man arrested for raping minor

According to police, an arrest warrant was pending against the man with which he was being charged with seducing and raping a minor repeatedly.

The arrested man will be brought before a prosecutor in the city of Kastoria.

Soccer

[28] Super League results

In other action:

Xanthi - Ergotelis Crete 4-2

Aris Thessaloniki - Kerkyra 1-1

Levadiakos Livadia - PAOK Thessaloniki 4-3

OFI Crete - PAS Yiannina 0-2

Asteras Tripoli - Panionios Athens 2-0

Final standings after 30 weeks of play:

1. Olympiacos 73 points (Champion)

2. Panathinaikos 66 (Playoffs)

3. PAOK 50 (Playoffs)

4. Atromitos 50 (Playoffs)

5. AEK 48 (Playoffs)

6. Asteras 45

7. Aris 39

8. Levadiakos 39

9. PAS Yiannina 38

10. OFI 37

11. Xanthi 36

12. Panionios 33

13. Kerkyra 32

14. Ergotelis 29 (Relegated)

15. Panetolikos 28 (Relegated)

16. Doxa 17 (Relegated)

NOTE: Panathinaikos and Aris have each been penalised in a game and have had three points deducted.

[29] Athens' Sunday newspapers at a glance

AVGHI: "A new day dawns - On May 6 the working people and youth will be able to determine their own fate".

AVRIANI: "Suspicious bank accounts and real estate targeted by the money-laundering authority".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Alteration of Memorandum in favour of the weak - Samaras opens up his cards on the policy he wants to implement".

ETHNOS: "French scent of change over Europe".

KATHIMERINI: "Intention to punish, but also fear of lack of governance".

L0GOS: "Desperate...households - Number of households unable to repay their loans on the rise".

PROTO THEMA: "Suspicious remittance of 2 million euros to the Constantine Karamanlis Foundation - Tax Bureau asks for explanations on the mysterious donor".

RIZOSPASTIS: "Strong KKE in the elections in order for the people to impose positive developments".

TO ARTHRO: "Samaras' plans for the economy".

TO PARON: "Endless madhouse - Nervous breakdown in PASOK and ND".

TO VIMA: "The big contradiction: 'Yes' to the euro, 'no' to the parties that back it".

VRADYNI: "Early retirement - Hurry and gain - The beneficial regulations until the end of the year".

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