Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 14-10-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Samaras in Parliament: 'We can exit memorandum a year sooner'

[02] Political leaders address Parliament; PM Samaras wraps up three-day debate on vote of confidence

[03] PASOK leader Venizelos calls for national group to help plan Greece's exit from the crisis

[04] SYRIZA leader rules out proposal for special purpose gov't

[05] Independent Greeks party leader calls for general elections, debt write-off

[06] DIMAR will not vote for confidence, party leader Kouvelis tells Parliament

[07] Parliament hears more speakers in a wrap-up day leading to a midnight vote of confidence

[08] Dev't minister: None of SYRIZA's forecasts have come true

[09] 'People gave a vote of confidence to the current government in the recent elections', Deputy Health Minister Papakosta says

[10] Deputy Interior Minister Dolios' address to parliament

[11] PASOK parliamentary spokesman Koutsoukos underlines need for stability and understanding

[12] Rural Development Minister Karasmanis' address in parliament

[13] Culture Minister Tassoulas addresses parliamentary debate on the vote of confidence

[14] Gov't spokeswoman slams main opposition SYRIZA in her Parliament speech before vote of confidence

[15] 'I will contribute in the best way possible to the stability of the country', independent MP Aidonis says

[16] PASOK MP Kremastinos reiterates proposal over a wider cooperation government

[17] Dep. minister Plakiotakis, SYRIZA's Apostolou address Parliament

[18] Independent MP Voudouris rules out vote of confidence in government

[19] Independent MP Katerina Markou to vote 'present' in Parliament

[20] 'We are not concerned with scenarios of a special purpose government', SYRIZA spokesman says

[21] Gov't spokeswoman on SYRIZA's accusations and Lagarde's statements

[22] SYRIZA, KKE, ANEL strongly criticize the government's foreign policy

[23] SYRIZA MPs table question on EU-US trade agreement in Parliament

[24] IMF official Thomsen praises reform progress made by Greece

[25] FM Venizelos to attend International Donors' Conference for Palestine

[26] FM Venizelos to meet with Cyprus' FM Kasoulides on Oct. 13

[27] Greek authorities step up precautionary measures against Ebola

[28] No reason to worry about Ebola in Greece, says Health ministry official in ANA-MPA interview

[29] Council of State hears appeals case against civil servant reviews; ruling expected at a later date

[30] Interview process for public-sector management published in government gazette

[31] Environment Minister Maniatis announces tourism plan targeting medical doctors

[32] Akis Tsohatzopoulos' trial adjourned to October 23

[33] Protesters block Administrative Reform minister's political office

[34] Admin. Reform minister to meet fired school guards, teachers on Monday

[35] Cruise ship owners call for suspension of biometric data measure for non-EU cruise tourists

[36] Venezuelan ambassador to visit Katerini, northern Greece

[37] Greece is achieving its fiscal goals, Alternate FinMin says

[38] Privatisation fund receives three binding offers for 14 regional airports

[39] Greek GDP shrank less than expected in 2013, revised figures show

[40] Greece to auction three-month T-bill on Tuesday

[41] Industrial production down 5.7 pct in Aug

[42] Building permits to be issued electronically as of Jan 2, Alternate Environment min says

[43] Building activity down 24.1 pct in July

[44] ASE suspends trading in Trastor

[45] ASE lifts ban on Trastor share trading

[46] Greek stocks end significantly lower

[47] Greek bond market closing report

[48] Foreign exchange rates - Friday

[49] Athens University to start offering Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC)

[50] Code Week to be held on Oct. 11-17

[51] Anarchists occupy Athens Journalists' Union office for two hours

[52] Jailed terrorist Nikos Maziotis admitted to hospital for tests

[53] Former basketball player remanded in custody on drugs charge

[54] Five Laotians arrested in Greece for attempting to travel with fake documents

[55] Increase in numbers of visitors to museums and archaeological sites in June

[56] Mostly fair on Saturday

[57] The Friday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance? Politics

[01] PM Samaras in Parliament: 'We can exit memorandum a year sooner'

"Get over your childhood diseases and get unstuck," he said, in a speech that focused on reviewing the government's economic successes and criticising SYRIZA for not knowing how to act like a main opposition party.

Slamming SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras for what he said was a "disdain of every effort to national agreement," Samaras nevertheless extended an invitation to the party to come to an agreement on the next president of the republic. "Come and let us elect a president of the republic. We will do it even without you. It would be better to do it with you."

In his message, the premier sent a stern message of the critical juncture Greece is in, saying that "we will not allow the country to roll backwards." He added, "We hear one lie after another, one wrong forecast after another. The vote of confidence will give the stability we need to get to the clearing, it is not to create abroad the impressions you purposely created today."

Reiterating Greece's achievements - including a zero fiscal deficit in 2015 for the first time, a drop in unemployment and Greece's exit to the markets - the premier said, "Greece will not need another memorandum, it will not need another programme of obligatory borrowing. We have the greatest structural surplus in Europe." What the country needed still, he stressed, was growth and reforms. "We do not even need the funds from the current memorandum; we can exit the memorandum a year sooner."

Samaras also made a quick reference to the beginning of measures lifting some of the tax burden and to the banks' stress tests that will follow the troika of Greece's creditors' review of the fiscal programme. He said the stress tests will show "what percentage of the ESM amount we will return to reduce our viable debt and receive additional help, lowering spreads and allowing banks to lend more easily."

Overall, he said, "The progress of reforms will continue with the necessary constitutional revision." As the economy restarted, he said, "we will not allow the election of the president of the republic to fuel instability, that is why we are separating the present process from the presidential election, which will follow as normal."

In his criticism of SYRIZA, which he also accused of being "in a state of permanent confusion," Samaras said, "What they presented is not an economic programme, it's a wedding list. What do they expect, that they will blackmail Europe over the debt? What Mr. Tsipras is talking about is not negotiation, it is a clash from a totally weak position. They do not understand that they are not facing specific governments, but 27 parliaments."

Charging the main opposition with "anxiety over the prospect of Greece's success," he said to SYRIZA, "You are imagining being a government when you have not exercised your role as opposition. We are done with the past, you are the past... There is not a single government that agrees with you."

Wrapping up his speech, he said that SYRIZA had rejected all reforms the government had introduced - something that New Democracy had not done when it was main opposition - and stressed, "Early elections would have been catastrophic and cancelled out the progress achieved. The country's interest lies in stability, not in election talk and instability... We are the only fortress of stability in our surroundings."

[02] Political leaders address Parliament; PM Samaras wraps up three-day debate on vote of confidence

The leader of the main opposition Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA), Alexis Tsipras, ruled out the proposal for a special purpose government, during the final day of a debate on a vote of confidence to the government on Friday.

Earlier in Parliament, PASOK MP Dimitris Kremastinos reiterated his proposal for a wider cooperation government of special purpose.

Tsipras called for general elections now, so that the next government will be able to select a president of the republic with a broad consensus and negotiate Greece's debt with a fresh mandate. "Right now, this government and the prime minister are incapable of negotiating, as they are doubted even by their own people," he said.

Talking about the country's debt, Tsipras wondered what kind of negotiations the coalition government is planning to propose, since it is in "full agreement with" German Chancellor Angela Merkel that the debt is sustainable.

"It (the government) doesn't have a negotiation strategy. You don't have a policy of forging European alliances. You're planning our exit to the markets without having first claimed a socialy viable solution for the debt," he added.

On the last of three days of debate, PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos focused his speech on criticising the main opposition and on calling for a national group to negotiate with Greece's troika of creditors, in the framework of "a comprehensive plan of exiting the crisis, in agreement with the EU and before the election for president of the republic."

He charged Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) leader Alexis Tsipras with choosing to ignore "interests waiting in the wings to buy Greece for a pittance," and said the measures his party proposed consist of "a proposal to return to the threshold of the irregular bankruptcy of 2009."

Venizelos, who is also government vice president, called on all democratic forces committed to European membership and to taking a responsible stance on ruling to rally on designing a plan to exit the crisis. The invitation he said was extended to SYRIZA as well.

The leader of the Independent Greeks (ANEL) party on Friday called for general elections and a government of national unity that will agree on a change of policy, the forming of an auditing committee, debt cancellation, big tax cuts, debt write-off for small income earners and safeguarding national issues, during the third and final day of a debate on a vote of confidence to the government.

Panos Kammenos first slammed the government for its policies and for signing the bailout agreements and then called on all independent lawmakers who were voted with ANEL not to give a confidence vote to the government "in spite of the differences they have with the party" and to understand that "if they leave the plenary having voted 'present' or if they agree on the election for president [of the republic], they will have committed treason, they will be common defectors and they will have violated popular mandate," he said.

A message was read of extreme-right Golden Dawn (Chryssi Avgi) leader Nikos Michaloliakos, held in custody with another seven party deputies, in which he denounced the government for "constitutional and state deviation."

Greece needs to be ruled by a progressive government and a national agreement framework must be set up by political powers to restructure public debt and take the country out of the crisis, Democratic Left (DIMAR) leader Fotis Kouvelis said on Friday night, during the last of three days of debate on a vote of confidence to the government.

Referring to talks with the country's troika of lenders, he noted, "We did not invest in the failure of negotiations. But neither do we accept a policy that forces society into poverty and stagnation - such a policy must end."

The confidence vote debate aims at creating polarization between the coalition government and SYRIZA, a controversy that has to do with secondary issues and not the main one which is the government-EU's unpopular policy, Communist Party of Greece (KKE) parliamentary spokesman Thanassis Pafilis said in his address to the Parliament, saying the party would vote against the government.

The worst, he said, is that the whole debate hurts the people and minimises its demands. "This is embarrassing," he said.

[03] PASOK leader Venizelos calls for national group to help plan Greece's exit from the crisis

Speaking on the last day of a debate on a vote of confidence, Venizelos called the government's initiative for a vote of confidence "an answer in deed to plots, merchants of uncertainty and the illusory assault for power that some dream of."

He charged Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) leader Alexis Tsipras with choosing to ignore "interests waiting in the wings to buy Greece for a pittance," and said the measures SYRIZA proposed consist of "a proposal to return to the threshold of the irregular bankruptcy of 2009."

Venizelos, who is also government vice president, called on all democratic forces committed to European membership and to taking a responsible stance on ruling to rally on designing a plan to exit the crisis. The invitation he said was extended to SYRIZA as well.

This plan, he explained, should be based on seven points: a completion of the current troika review; an agreement without new austerity measures; completion of the banks' stress test; resolving the issue of the debt's liability; planning the era following the fiscal programme "without a new loan, memorandum or troika"; a national plan of structural changes of "Greek owenership"; and strong social guarantees.

[04] SYRIZA leader rules out proposal for special purpose gov't

Earlier in Parliament, PASOK MP Dimitris Kremastinos reiterated his proposal for a wider cooperation government of special purpose.

Tsipras called for general elections now, so that the next government will be able to select a president of the republic with a broad consensus and negotiate Greece's debt with a fresh mandate.

"Right now, this government and the prime minister are incapable of negotiating, as they are doubted even by their own people," he said.

"Since you can see you won't be able to achieve the majority of 180 MPs, I urge you not to continue with this hopeless tactic. Give people the opportunity to decide. A government with a fresh mandate will be able to manage the negotiations."

Talking about the country's debt, Tsipras wondered what kind of negotiations the coalition government is planning to propose, since it is in "full agreement with" German Chancellor Angela Merkel that the debt is sustainable.

"It (the government) doesn't have a negotiation strategy. You don't have a policy of forging European alliances. You're planning our exit to the markets without having first claimed a socialy viable solution for the debt," he added.

The leader of SYRIZA added that his party is not bound by any agreements the coalition government may make, without the party's approval.

[05] Independent Greeks party leader calls for general elections, debt write-off

Panos Kammenos first slammed the government for its policies and for signing the bailout agreements and then called on all independent lawmakers who were voted with ANEL not to give a confidence vote to the government "in spite of the differences they have with the party" and to understand that "if they leave the plenary having voted 'present' or if they agree on the election for president [of the republic], they will have committed treason, they will be common defectors and they will have violated popular mandate," he said.

Kammenos also accused the government that, together with the bankers, it is serving the new world order which aims at dissolving national sovereignty and added that Government Vice-President Evangelos Venizelos confessed to treason by "saying essentially that foreigners imposed the [loan] agreement upon our country."

[06] DIMAR will not vote for confidence, party leader Kouvelis tells Parliament

He also stated clearly he will not give a vote of confidence to the government, which he accused of cultivating optimism among the Greek people that does not correspond to economic and social reality. Fiscal health can be achieved, but not by making thousands of Greeks poorer, he stressed.

"There are no easy and magical solutions," Kouvelis said, "but there are just and effective solutions. What the country needs today is policies with a weighty progressive content."

Referring to talks with the country's troika of lenders, he noted, "We did not invest in the failure of negotiations. But neither do we accept a policy that forces society into poverty and stagnation - such a policy must end."

[07] Parliament hears more speakers in a wrap-up day leading to a midnight vote of confidence

Cabinet members reviewed their achievements and called for a vote of confidence to the government in order to ensure the fiscal programme continues and the country's exit from the crisis is secured.

Among ministers taking the floor, Alternate Finance Minister Christos Staikouras spoke of Greece's return to economic growth this year, after six years of deep recession, along with a significant primary surplus for two years in a row, while Deputy Finance Minister Giorgos Mavraganis stressed the government's efforts at combating tax evasion through legislation, among other things.

Public Order and Citizen Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias, also speaking on Friday, said "the Greek people do not want messiahs or saviours; it is tired of getting hooked on any bait. It wants us to complete the mission it assigned us: to finish with memorandums and national depression and walk on the path of truth, away from experiments and unfeasible policies."

Other ministers included Labour's Yiannis Vroutsis, speaking on the improvement in the employment sector, and Macedonia-Thrace Minister Giorgos Orfanos stressing the importance of the Greek people's decision to give the power to rule "to those who believed there can be no other solution than one within the organized system of the European Union."

In terms of party leaders, Democratic Left (DIMAR) leader Fotis Kouvelis said his party would not vote for confidence in the government, accusing it of "not wanting or being able" to bring a change in policy by "implementing real democratic reforms."

Independent Greeks (ANEL) leader Panos Kammenos also addressed Parliament, referring to "a panic-stricken government trying to justify what is unjustifiable." A message was also read of extreme-right Golden Dawn (Chryssi Avgi) leader Nikos Michaloliakos, held in custody with another seven party deputies, in which he denounced the government for "constitutional and state deviation."

Parliamentary group head of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), and former party leader, Aleka Papariga, focused her criticism on both New Democracy and SYRIZA, accusing them of resembling each other in capitalism.

Among independent deputies, those who said on Friday they would not give a vote of confidence to the government include Christos Aidonis and Odysseas Voudouris (formerly of PASOK), while Katerina Markou said she will vote "present".

On Thursday, Spyros Lykoudis and George Kassapidis said they would not give a vote of confidence, while George Davris stated he would be "quasi-present." Independent Nikitas Kaklamanis returned to the ND parliamentary group.

In other developments in Parliament, a group of 50 main opposition MPs led by SYRIZA deputy Panagiotis Kouroublis on Friday tabled a question concerning the negotiations for a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership agreement between the United States and the European Union, criticising the government for failing to inform Parliament even thought it had privileged access to information.

SYRIZA noted that officials on both sides of the Atlantic admitted that the main goal of the agreement was not to reduce trade barriers between the U.S. and the EU but to eradicate so called "regulatory barriers" created by national legislation on issues such as environmental protection, labour rights, food safety, protection of personal data, financial sector controls and others.

"Especially worrying and indicative of the preferential treatment given to major business interests over sovereign states is that these cases will not be tried in local courts by judges but at ad hoc international arbitration tribunals made up of corporate lawyers selected from a specific short list, who will convene behind closed doors, without right of appeal," the party added.

[08] Dev't minister: None of SYRIZA's forecasts have come true

Dendias said that any forecasts of the party that the government's fiscal programming would fail failed and he wondered "if there is a single forecast that came true."

The minister also asked Tsipras to clarify his plans for negotiating the debt, as several of SYRIZA's leading members had differing opinions of what to do, listing five of them by name. "All this would be amusing if it weren't dangerous," he concluded.

[09] 'People gave a vote of confidence to the current government in the recent elections', Deputy Health Minister Papakosta says

"A confidence vote to the government by the parliament is a constitutional provision aimed at securing government normality," she said.

"In today's debate a vote of confidence is being given to the government so as to have stability and security in the country against populism, which is unleashed on a daily basis, against the feeling of insecurity and concern that SYRIZA has been lately trying to create," she added.

"Our country came to this point because it had slipped into a populism rationale and practice. We do not go back to populism. Society cannot afford more self-pity, grievance and petty party games. It wants work, it wants action. The government acts - and you just sit there and judge, you simply criticize without proposing anything and without any plan! Nice attitude, dear colleagues!" she said, while accusing SYRIZA of covering up "forgers that took up positions in the public sector, which they do not deserve."

[10] Deputy Interior Minister Dolios' address to parliament

There is an end to this downhill and there is no doubt about this, Dolios noted. Regarding the debate on the vote of confidence, he said that it is of high political value as the objective to stop pre-election rhetoric at a very crucial point for the country has been met.

Dolios called on all sides to consider what would happen in this critical stage if the country entered into an electoral adventure as talks with the troika on an evaluation that seems to be positive would stop, the banks' stress tests would not be carried out, and the discussion on the debt and the exit from the memorandum would not begin.

He also referred to measures taken so as to secure revenues in local administration and called on all political parties to join forces for establishing a code for local administration.

[11] PASOK parliamentary spokesman Koutsoukos underlines need for stability and understanding

During the last period of time, this effort is reflected in the final report of our partners, it is reflected in the stress tests of the banks and has to do with the open negotiation to improve the repayment conditions and the debt sustainability, he said.

He stressed that thanks to the achievements of the country, today we can solve pressing issues related to society, the economy and ultimately the citizens, such as the bad loans, the indebtedness of households and companies and dealing with the issue of arrears to social security funds and the Tax Bureau.

He added that there was enough time so that institutional changes and interventions can bear fruit.

"I believe, if all goes well, we will be able to speak of Greece's restart from February onwards. The precondition is that this course is continued with stability," he said.

[12] Rural Development Minister Karasmanis' address in parliament

"After a period of stagnation, a note of optimism starts to emerge," he said, as a result of the 20 billion euros the country has secured from the negotiation over the New Agricultural Policy, which, as he noted, "was completed at the initiative of the Prime Minister Antonis Samaras."

The 2015-2020 Rural Development Programme will provide 240 million euros for young farmers, he said, adding that the number of young farmers who will enter the agricultural profession will be about 16,000. An amount of 60 million euros will be directed to farmers who want to pursue the agricultural profession for the first time since 2015 through a specific programme devoted to rural development.

The ministry, Karasmanis added, will also provide 466 million euros for the implementation of 7,500 projects to improve agribusiness while planning to support agricultural manufacturers with 340 new investments for the next six years of a total budget of 254 million euros.

Regarding exports to Russia, he underlined that the government continued to demand EU compensation for Greek producers for as long as the embargo continues.

[13] Culture Minister Tassoulas addresses parliamentary debate on the vote of confidence

Tassoulas was addressing the parliament, where a debate on the vote of confidence sought by the government is underway.

He said that "the description of problems does not constitute a solution," noting that "those wishing to lead the country out of the crisis should acknowledge the mistakes they committed when the 'actually existing populism' regime was created and join forces with 'actually existing realism and pragmatism,'" for an economy that will depend on its own powers "rather than non-existent loans that no one is willing to give to the country."

He underlined that Europe's calls on August 9, 1992 for the adoption of austere measures - when it was suggested that Greece should proceed with strict cuts of state subsidies and implementation of speedier deregulation of the markets in order to increase competitiveness - were met with the fierce reaction of the opposition to which the government eventually gave way.

Tassoulas said that the government should be given a vote a confidence "as a first step of normalcy" until June 2016 when, as he said, "the country will be able to breath".

Referring to the sector of tourism, he underlined that the successful implementation of the expanded working hours in certain museums on a trial basis has led to a more than 50 pct increase in the number of visitors, noting that next year the measure will be implemented in museums nationwide.

[14] Gov't spokeswoman slams main opposition SYRIZA in her Parliament speech before vote of confidence

Charging SYRIZA with trying to muzzle its political adversaries and with misinformation, she said of the opposition's accusations of scandals, "Names have been requested but up to now we have been informed of none - nor will we get them. This whole story was cooked up so the main opposition could avoid presenting a specific programme about what it plans to do with the country's great problems, its debt and illegal immigration." The party has still not clearly stated whether it believes Greece should remain in the EU and NATO, she added.

"SYRIZA's tactics prove that its purpose is to target and selectively muzzle its colleagues. But this is fascism. So let it tell us what its next step is - camps for dissidents and people's courts?"

[15] 'I will contribute in the best way possible to the stability of the country', independent MP Aidonis says

At the same time he said that his refusal to a vote of confidence sent out a message on the need for understanding and radical changes and did not constitute a message of destabilization.

"This is the time of the necessary national accord; of the need to give a final solution to the pathogeneses that keep us riveted. I believe we have the opportunity, in the revision of the Constitution, to provide for a stable cycle of governance to eliminate a misfortune of our political system that rivets many governments and makes them submissive and vulnerable to populism and demagoguery," he said.

"I do not believe in elections as I do not believe that any long pre-election period will help my country. I will contribute in the best way possible to the stability of my country. My refusal to the vote of confidence that the government is asking for is not seeking destabilization, but it is a message on the need for understanding and radical changes.

[16] PASOK MP Kremastinos reiterates proposal over a wider cooperation government

At the same time, he made clear he would give a vote of confidence to the government, noting that it is not possible for deputies who supported it in the previous period of time - sometimes against their will and beliefs - to abandon it.

"I come back to the proposal for a wider cooperation government of special purpose, under a commonly accepted prime minister, even with the rotating governance of the leaders of the parties that will participate (in it)," he said.

"Such a government will make the country stronger in the negotiation over the debt settlement," he added.

[17] Dep. minister Plakiotakis, SYRIZA's Apostolou address Parliament

Plakiotakis was speaking during the final day of a debate on a vote of confidence requested by the government, which will culminate in a roll-call vote at midnight.

"At a time when the country is heading toward the end of the memorandums, after extremely hard sacrifices, they feel that they are losing the cause that gave birth to their rise, because they feed on the memorandum and fear that its premature end will finally deprive them of power," he said.

The deputy minister slammed a 5.0-billion-euro plan for boosting employment presented by SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras as "incomprehensive and impracticable" while challenging SYRIZA to say where the money would come from. He also slammed the main opposition for failing to admit and address the real causes of Greece's crisis, which he said was primarily a "crisis of values" and reproducing the worst practices of the country's past.

"While describing the real problems and difficulties of the Greek people, it proposes the policies that created them," he said. Plakiotakis also slammed the party's attitude to the election of a new president as "institutional disrespect".

The debate was also addressed by SYRIZA's sector head for agricultural policy, the MP Vaggelis Apostolou, who was harshly critical of the government's actions in this area, including very poor management of subsidies and "non-negotiable dedication to European policies for farming".

He also accused the ministry of failing to take steps to capitalise on Greece's advantages in relation to its competitors, including the continued export of 90 pct of Greece's olive oil production in bulk.

Apostolou said SYRIZA's policy included immediate intervention to lower farming costs, especially that of energy that amounted to 60 pct of the total, establishing a diesel price the same as the EU average (75-80 euros) and restoring the same electricity rates as in 2009.

SYRIZA MP for Halkidiki Irene Iggelizi, on her part, stressed that the speech by Environment, Energy and Climate Change Minister Yiannis Maniatis on Thursday showed that the environment ranked low in the ministry's priorities and even interests. "It has become an energy ministry exclusively," she said, strongly criticising legislation that lifted the protection of forests due for reforestation or bans on converting public forest to private land.

[18] Independent MP Voudouris rules out vote of confidence in government

His intervention during the debate on the vote of confidence in Parliament, which culminates with a vote at midnight, earned a sharp response from Deputy Labour Minister Vassilis Kegeroglou, who questioned the MPs political conduct in leaving PASOK.

[19] Independent MP Katerina Markou to vote 'present' in Parliament

In a written statement, she backed her decision by saying that "the government was unable to put the country on a course of economic growth and social cohesion," adding that there are "no magic solutions in this extremely difficult conjuncture".

She also noted that the country needs reasonable time for realistic progressive policies to be set in motion by all sides and effectively face the major problems of shrinking incomes and unemployment.

Confidence vote debate creates polarisation between coalition government and SYRIZA, KKE parliamentary spokesman says

The confidence vote debate aims at creating polarization between the coalition government and SYRIZA, a controversy that has to do with secondary issues and not the main one which is the government-EU's unpopular policy, communist KKE party parliamentary spokesman Thanassis Pafilis said in his address to the Parliament.

The worst, he said, is that the whole debate hurts the people and minimises its demands. "This is embarrassing," he said.

"It is not only polarisation; it also has a sense of consensus. As time passes by, the more we hear about a national consensus from various sides...and understanding," he noted.

However, there is indeed polarisation, he added, an acute confrontation, noting that the more the two parties' strategies converge, the harder the confrontation becomes.

Speedy solution on debt would be 'most desirable conclusion,' head of Parliament's State Budget Office tells ANA-MPA

"The solution of the debt issue as quickly as possible would be the most desirable conclusion but our partners and the IMF do not appear that eager to settle the issue unless domestic political issues, such the election of the president of the republic are solved first," the head of the State Budget Office in Parliament Prof. Panagiotis Liargovas said on Friday.

In an interview with ANA-MPA, he noted that "the settlement of the debt issue will probably take time and come after political developments here, because our partners want to be sure that there will be continuation on everything agreed regardless of the government in office".

On the views expressed by the opposition regarding the write-off of at least part of the debt, Prof. Liargovas underlined that "it is very difficult for our partners to proceed with a debt write-off, even though it would have been the best possible solution for us in terms of debt burden reduction. This means that the parliaments of the European countries that are our lenders will have to make such a decision. Of course, on the other hand, a solution will have to be found even if it does not include the write-off of part of the debt; either an extension of the repayment or a combination that will include an interest rate 'freeze' for some time. All these are options if the possibility of a write-off is ruled out."

As regards the prime minister's statement to Bloomberg that the country can meet its obligations without new assistance from the eurozone and the IMF, he responded that "one could say that at this phase, or in another favourable turn of events, but the country find itself in a tough spot when things are not as favourable in the future. As an economist, I would have preferred a greater security to return to the markets namely, when the economy will safeguard our presence in the markets".

On IMF managing director Christine Lagarde's statement about a precautionary credit line, he noted that "this could serve as a safety cushion and, in this sense, it is not necessarily a bad idea. It is a kind of security in case something goes wrong when we return to the markets, to have a precautionary credit line in case there is a need."

[20] 'We are not concerned with scenarios of a special purpose government', SYRIZA spokesman says

In statements to Skai TV, Skourletis wondered "what sort confidence are we talking about and to whom" through the proposal for a new government.

Several high-ranking New Democracy officials as well as other political figures "are talking about a special purpose government. Could it be that that they are also sending a message to Mr Samaras?" he wondered when asked to comment on proposals regarding SYRIZA's participation in a special purpose or national unity government.

"We are not concerned with such scenarios. They do not concern us. We believe that at this time the place needs a strong government that will defend the interests of the country and get us out of the memorandum and the crisis. Consequently, we are not looking for other ways to continue the same policy," Skourletis clarified.

[21] Gov't spokeswoman on SYRIZA's accusations and Lagarde's statements

Voultepsi told private Vima FM that SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras does not want to give answers to specific issues. "What is he going to do with the memorandum? Is he going to tear it apart, cancel it or replace it? What is he going to do with the debt...?"

Regarding the negotiations and the exit from the memorandum, Voultepsi said: "We have a specific plan on how to exit the crisis and we will not proceed with unilateral actions. Because then, the country will not exit the crisis, but it will get into a deeper one."

As regards the statements of IMF head Christine Lagarde, she said: "Ms Lagarde has been clearer than ever saying that it is up to each country how to manage its economy. She said she was glad to see that the situation in Greece has improved and yet the other issue got more attention... After saying that each country is responsible for managing its debt, Ms Lagarde made a comment. We listen to everything with interest, we are in negotiations with institutional partners and we will never go ahead with unilateral actions. Is it possible to go into a negotiation with conflict?".

[22] SYRIZA, KKE, ANEL strongly criticize the government's foreign policy

"The foreign ministry had nothing to say when Germany sidestepped the EU institutional bodies and invited the western Balkan countries to Berlin, designating Albania as their representative, placing outside the UN framework the issue of the solution of FYROM's name. Greece abstained from the UN General Assembly when a proposal by 77 countries - headed by China in an initiative by Argentina - was passed suggesting the adoption of an international treaty on public debt restructuring procedures that will serve as a weapon in the hands of small countries," Valavani said.

"Greece needs alliances, short-term and long-term, having as a criterion the country's and the working people's interests on the basis of mutual benefit. It needs to develop stable and equal-basis strategic relations with the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) and above all, with China and Russia. It needs to support forces promoting peace and those resisting hegemonism and replace the non diplomacy with active claim and, also, to support the Cypriot people decisively in response to the blackmail by the Turkish government," she underlined.

Opposition Communist Party of Greece (KKE) MP Spyros Halvatzis condemned Turkey's "provocative actions" and associated developments in the region of southeastern Mediterranean with the interests promoted by the "imperialist organisations" NATO and the EU.

Opposition Independent Greeks (ANEL) MP Maria Kollia-Tsarouha expressed concern about the government's stance as regards the FYROM name issue, noting that Greece is losing everything that had taken years to build.

[23] SYRIZA MPs table question on EU-US trade agreement in Parliament

SYRIZA noted that officials on both sides of the Atlantic admitted that the main goal of the agreement was not to reduce trade barriers between the U.S. and the EU but to eradicate so called "regulatory barriers" created by national legislation on issues such as environmental protection, labour rights, food safety, protection of personal data, financial sector controls and others.

"The signature of this agreement will allow U.S. multinationals to conduct business activity in all EU countries on the basis of equivalent legislation in the United States, which refuse to ratify international labour agreement for fundamental rights, such as collective bargaining, the freedom to associate and the right to form unions," SYRIZA said in its question.

"Especially worrying and indicative of the preferential treatment given to major business interests over sovereign states is that these cases will not be tried in local courts by judges but at ad hoc international arbitration tribunals made up of corporate lawyers selected from a specific short list, who will convene behind closed doors, without right of appeal," the party added.

The MPs noted that the sole source of democratic legitimacy of the proposed agreement will be its ratification by the European Parliament, which will not be allowed to make changes to the content. They stressed that the head of the negotiations for the EU is outgoing European Commissioner Karel de Gucht, who has been accused of tax evasion and insider trading involving Fortis Bank, saying that was engaged in "secret negotiations" with U.S. trade representative Michael Froman, formerly a senior executive in Citigroup.

Pointing out that even the German Vice-Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel has expressed objections to the Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) and the secrecy surrounding the talks, the SYRIZA MPs note that adoption of ISDS will make Greece particularly vulnerable to lawsuits by foreign companies.

[24] IMF official Thomsen praises reform progress made by Greece

Poul Thomsen, the head of the European Department of the International Monetary Fund, on Friday praised the progress made by Greece in promoting reforms so far, compared with Spain and other eurozone states, saying that "undoubtedly, Greece has done much more".

Speaking to reporters, here, Thomsen said that Greece, because of its very high deficits and debts, began its effort from a more difficult position which means that "the country must continue its efforts".

"The good news is that Greece gradually regains its access in markets, although some concerns still existed related with a recent increase of spreads," the IMF official said, adding that "the situation was still fragile in its sector".

Thomsen said that "in our (IMF) view, it is preferable for Greece to keep some kind of relation (with the IMF). As the managing director said, this relation is evolving and discussions were currently under way on the issue. But for the time being, I have no further to add".

He noted that the IMF has not received any official notification over the termination of a loan support, adding that "a discussion is under way over the current assessment, focusing on policies and reforms that must be taken in a future stage".

[25] FM Venizelos to attend International Donors' Conference for Palestine

The Conference is being hosted by the governments of Egypt and Norway, with the support of the President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas.

[26] FM Venizelos to meet with Cyprus' FM Kasoulides on Oct. 13

The meeting will take place at 11.00, at the Foreign ministry.

Their one-on-one meeting will be followed by expanded talks between the delegations of Greece and Cyprus. Venizelos and Kasoulides will make statements to the news media at 12.30.

Finally, Venizelos will host a luncheon in honor of the Cypriot Foreign Minister.

[27] Greek authorities step up precautionary measures against Ebola

During the meeting, that included scientific experts from the Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (HCDCP) and the National Centre for Health Operations, it was decided to reinforce the country's entry points with additional healthcare staff that were fully briefed on the dangers of the virus.

Passengers arriving from high-risk zones for Ebola will be asked to fill in a questionnaire in order to assess the level of Ebola risk that they may pose, while steps will be taken to ensure that those coming into regular contact with migrants are fully briefed on the symptoms of the disease and how it is spread.

The scientific team has decided to issue regularly updated recommendations to the public and public health authorities regarding Ebola and any new information that arises concerning the disease. Posters have already been put up at entry points offering useful information in Greek and English.

Authorities have designated laboratories that will test clinical samples, which are now on standby. These are the Microbiology Laboratory at the Thessaloniki University School of Medicine and the Microbiology Laboratory at the Athens University Medical School. Based on the latest update, the Melissia-based state hospital "Amalia Fleming" in the northeast suburbs of Athens is now the designated hospital for suspected Ebola cases and fully prepared to receive patients.

Health services have also drawn up a protocol on how to deal with suspected cases or passengers that enter the country with a fever or other symptoms, so as to avoid spreading the disease, including their transfer by ambulance, monitoring and treatment.

The HFDCP has previously issued instructions urging travellers to avoid visiting West African countries - such as Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria - or in cases where this is unavoidable to avoid all contact with biological materials, engage in safe sex and avoid consumption of wild game. They note that Ebola is spread from person to person chiefly through contact with infected blood or other human secretions (saliva, urine), that the disease is more easily spread in its final stages, especially the haemorrhaging stage, and even after death.

Once contracted, the virus has an incubation period of two to 21 days and initially causes symptoms similar to flu, which then progress to diarrhoea and vomiting, kidney failure, bleeding from the mucous membranes (eyes, nose, ears, rectum) and finally multiple organ failure.

[28] No reason to worry about Ebola in Greece, says Health ministry official in ANA-MPA interview

Papanikolaou said the country has issued directives for all relative bodies two months ago and the virus poses a greater threat for countries which have direct flights to countries in West Africa.

In the interview, the general secretary specifies the new preventive measures which were decided during a meeting with the leadership of the Health ministry, officials from the Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (KEELPNO) and the National Centreof Health Operations.

Papanikolaou also discusses the experimental efforts of the international community in trying to combat the deadly virus.

(The full interview is available to subscribers in Greece through ANA-MPA WebTV.)

[29] Council of State hears appeals case against civil servant reviews; ruling expected at a later date

Appealing the evaluations are the umbrella union of the public sector (ADEDY), the local government employees union (POE-OTA) and others, calling the reviews "unconstitutional and illegal." They further argued that the reviews contravene principles of equality, transparency and meritocracy and were not published officially in the Government Gazette.

Public defenders said that the refusal of civil servants to implement the evaluations, which have been introduced to other countries legally, and the continuous strikes for this reason "mean that they do not want anything to change - in other words, bad practices should not change." They added that by law, those who are given low evaluation grades for 2013 will not experience changes in their wages or any other repercussions, and the negative review will be crossed out of their records if their reviews for the following year show improvement.

The Council of State, Greece's highest administrative court, will issue its ruling at a later date.

[30] Interview process for public-sector management published in government gazette

This stipulates that the factors to be evaluated during an interview will include the information included in the employee's curriculum vitae and job application, including any degrees, diplomas, certificates and previous work experience, past evaluations and "other related activities" to the job being applied for.

Candidates will also be required to reply to similar or identical questions linked to the description of the job being applied for and the skills required.

The decision then outlines the methodology of grading the candidates, the differential weighting of the interview mark for each level of management and other details.

[31] Environment Minister Maniatis announces tourism plan targeting medical doctors

The minister referred to the plan, which aims to highlight the elements of culture, well-being, medical science, nature and biodiversity in the Argolid region of Stymfalia, near ancient Epidaurus, and the southeastern Aegean island of Kos.

"We address the roughly 10 million medical doctors worldwide and the hundreds of thousands of medical school graduates, who each year take the Hippocratic Oath, by highlighting Kos and Epidaurus as the places where the western medicine has originated," he underlined.

Maniatis also announced that similar actions are in the works for the creation of a National Network of Diving Parks.

[32] Akis Tsohatzopoulos' trial adjourned to October 23

Tsohatzopoulos' wife, Vicky Stamati and his accountant Efrosyni Lambropoulou, both remanded in custody, as well as his former wife Gudrun did not appear at the court.

The hearing was adjourned as the court hall was too small to accommodate the large number of defendants and lawyers.

[33] Protesters block Administrative Reform minister's political office

Protesters are in the common areas of the building, while some of them are out on the balcony shouting slogans. Police forces are also in the area.

[34] Admin. Reform minister to meet fired school guards, teachers on Monday

They said the minister had agreed to meet three school guards and three teachers, following the surprise entry into the ministry building earlier on Friday by fired school guards and suspended teachers, who climbed to the building's roof to protest and shout slogans. Police were called in but the protest ended without incident.

[35] Cruise ship owners call for suspension of biometric data measure for non-EU cruise tourists

In an urgent letter, they underlined that many of the country's seaports lack proper infrastructure and necessary staff for procedures of this kind for tourists from non-EU countries, when the number of tourists from third-country seaports, who are holders of the visa in question, could be in the hundreds.

Cruise ship owners union representatives mentioned as an example that authorities on the Aegean island of Mykonos expect three cruise ships with roughly 7,000 passengers on board on Saturday, October 11.

[36] Venezuelan ambassador to visit Katerini, northern Greece

On Saturday, he will visit the Social Clinic and Grocery Store, the deputy regional governor's office and the archaeological museum in Dion. Later in the afternoon on the same day, he will attend an event on the contribution of local social solidarity structures and will address the audience outlining his country's relevant experience.

Financial News

[37] Greece is achieving its fiscal goals, Alternate FinMin says

Speaking in Parliament, during a debate on a vote of confidence for the government, Staikouras noted that Greece will return to economic growth this year, for the first time after six years of deep recession, while it will present a significant primary surplus for the second successive year.

"The country has stabilized its public finances, returns to positive growth rates, it has restored its international position and credibility and plans, with optimism, dignity and confidence the next day for the Greek economy," Staikouras said, adding that the debate on a vote of confidence was taking place in a crucial period for the country.

The Finance minister stressed that the country was exiting the crisis, step-by-step, as a result of a collective, had work and primarily with the unprecedented sacrifices made by the Greek society. He underlined that sustainable fiscal consolidation and discipline, although necessary, it is not enough to lead to economic growth and social prosperity. He said that Europe needed to reassess its policies and priorities, while Greece must continue its hard work to transform the current stabilization into a dynamic and sustainable growth with social cohesion.

Staikouras said that this was the right path the country should follow, a path which will lead to high employment, reducing unemployment and improving living standards for all citizens.

[38] Privatisation fund receives three binding offers for 14 regional airports

The consortia that submitted offers are CASA (Corporation America S.A.) with METKA, Fraport AG with Slentel Ltd and Vinci Airports SAS with AKTOR Concessions.

The 14 airports are divided in two groups:

- Group A includes the airports of Thessaloniki, Corfu, Chania, Cephallonia, Zakynthos, Aktion, Kavala

- Group B includes the airports of Rhodes, Kos, Samos, Mytilini, Mykonos, Santorini and Skiathos

The next stage in the tender process is the review of the technical offers and the legal documentation.

After the recommendation of the project advisors, TAIPED's board of directors will approve the consortia that will proceed to the next stage of the tender and unseal their financial offers.

The award decision is expected to be completed within November.

[39] Greek GDP shrank less than expected in 2013, revised figures show

The statistics service, in a report, said that the country's GDP (current prices) totaled 226.2 billion euros in 2010 using the new methodology, up 4.0 billion euros from a previous estimate of 222.2 billion euros.

The revised figures were based on changes in the methodology and statistics used by ELSTAT, such as changes in spending on research and development, spending on equipment, financial intermediate services, integrating family budgets, external trade updated figures, military equipment, spending on new homes and pending works, assessing fixed capital, etc.

[40] Greece to auction three-month T-bill on Tuesday

The settlement date of the issue is set for Friday, 17 October. The finance ministry will allow small private investors to participate in the auction, offering the T-bills with a tax-free return on the condition that the owners will hold the securities until their maturity.

[41] Industrial production down 5.7 pct in Aug

The statistics service, in a report, said that industrial production was down 5.5 pct in August 2013 and attributed this year's decline to a 6.5 pct decline in the mining production index, a 0.9 pct fall in manufacturing production (reflecting a 14.9 pct fall in clothing production, a 10.8 pct decline in non-metal ore and a 53.7 pct drop in transport equipment. Leather/footwear production fell 48.1 pct in August, food fell 1.3 pct, tobacco eased 5.3 pct and textile production fell 8.5 pct). Electricity production dropped 18.1 pct in August, while water production rose by 1.4 pct.

The industrial production average index in the January-August period fell 2.8 pct, after a 2.6 pct decline recorded in the corresponding period last year.

[42] Building permits to be issued electronically as of Jan 2, Alternate Environment min says

According to Tagaras, as of next year there will be a common data base for the electronic system that issues building permits for new constructions as well as for the so-called Electronic Identity of Buildings.

"The country is turning page; in few months we move to a new, digital era for urban planning issues," he said.

The new system in the next few days will be into effect on a pilot basis in Athens, Piraeus, Korinthos, Heraklion, Chania and Komotini as well as the ministry' s department that approves big projects.

[43] Building activity down 24.1 pct in July

In the seven-month period from January to July, building permits were down 18.4 pct and volume fell by 4.3 pct compared with the same period last year.

[44] ASE suspends trading in Trastor

Shortly afterwards, Trastor -in an announcement to market authorities- said that a court decision ordered the suspension of the public tender offer by Piraeus Bank.

[45] ASE lifts ban on Trastor share trading

[46] Greek stocks end significantly lower

The index ended 1.97 pct lower at 1,004.88 points, after falling as much as 998.68 points during the session. The index ended the week with a net loss of 4.27 pct, extending its decline for the fifth successive week during the which it has lost 16.06 pct. The index is now 13.57 pct down so far this year.

Turnover was a heavy 136.70 million euros. The Large Cap index fell 2.13 pct and the Mid Cap index ended 1.61 pct lower.

Athens Water (5.76 pct) was the only blue chip to end higher, while Alpha Bank (4.19 pct), Motor Oil (3.68 pct), OTE (3.62 pct), Intralot (3.33 pct) and Folli Follie (3.11 pct) suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day.

Among market sectors, the Health (0.43 pct) and Chemicals (0.20 pct) scored gains, while Telecoms (3.62 pct), Commerce (3.10 pct) and Travel (2.46 pct) suffered losses.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 81 to 40 with another 18 issues unchanged. Minerva (21.67 pct), Spider (20 pct) and Kreka (19.86 pct) were top gainers, while G.E. Demetriou (23.08 pct), AEGEK (13.11 pct) and Sato (12 pct) were top losers.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Banks: -2.26%

Insurance: -0.71%

Financial Services: -1.98%

Industrials: -1.00%

Retail: -3.10%

Real Estate: -2.65%

Personal & Household: -1.40%

Food & Beverages: -0.88%

Raw Materials: -1.98%

Construction: -1.95%

Oil: -2.11%

Chemicals: +0.20%

Mass Media: Unchanged

Travel & Leisure: -2.46%

Technology: -0.79%

Telecoms: -3.62%

Utilities: -0.85%

Health: +0.43%

The stocks with the highest turnover were Alpha Bank, National Bank, Piraeus Bank and Eurobank.

Selected shares from the FTSE/ASE Large Cap index closed in euros as follows:

Alpha Bank: 0.59

Public Power Corp (PPC): 7.85

Coca Cola HBC: 16.70

Hellenic Petroleum (ELPE): 4.82

National Bank of Greece: 2.19

Eurobank Properties: 8.63

OPAP: 10.04

OTE: 10.12

Piraeus Bank: 1.20

Titan: 19.49

[47] Greek bond market closing report

In interbank markets, interest rates were largely unchanged. The 12-month rate rose to 0.333 pct from 0.332 pct, the nine-month rate was 0.251 pct, the six-month rate eased to 0.178 pct from 0.179 pct, the three-month rate was 0.079 pct and the one-month rate was 0.006 pct.

[48] Foreign exchange rates - Friday

U.S. dollar 1.2638

Pound sterling 0.7882

Danish kroner 7.4435

Swedish kroner 9.1506

Japanese yen 136.27

Swiss franc 1.2092

Norwegian kroner 8.258

Canadian dollar 1.4151

Australian dollar 1.451

General News

[49] Athens University to start offering Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC)

The courses will offer free access to multimedia educational content that will include slides, notes, videos, podcasts and interactive elements. It will be implemented on a national level by the non-profit company GUnet, or Greek Academic Network, in which all Greek academic institutions participate.

The Athens University's initiative aims to develop open online classes offered free to the university's students and the broader public. A university announcement pointed out that an 'asynchronous e-learning platform' (at http://eclass.uoa.gr) has been available for the last 11 years, which supports 4,762 classes and 130,653 users.

Those interested in learning more about UoA MOOCs can obtain more information at the website: http://opencourses.gr/index.xhtml

[50] Code Week to be held on Oct. 11-17

Throughout Europe - and in Greece - millions of children, parents, teachers, entrepreneurs and representatives of public life will participate in events and attend courses to learn coding and acquire relevant skills.

The aim of the organizers is to familiarize millions of children with coding through workshops, development of learning tools and encouraging teacher training.

Companies such as Rovio, Microsoft, Google, Telefonica and Facebook, support the Code Week.

[51] Anarchists occupy Athens Journalists' Union office for two hours

The occupiers distributed proclamations supporting Antonis Stamboulos, the 31-year-old arrested on suspicion of being a member of a leftist guerrilla group, who is in his fourth day of a thirst and hunger strike.

"Fighters are not terrorists. The only terrorists are the state and the capital. We won't budge - solidarity with the anarchist revolutionary Antonis Stamboulos, who is on a hunger and thirst strike since Oct. 6," the proclamation read.

[52] Jailed terrorist Nikos Maziotis admitted to hospital for tests

Authorities said that Maziotis will undergo a new round of medical tests made necessary by the injuries he sustained during a shootout with police in central Athens during the summer, which led to his apprehension and arrest. Once the tests are completed, he will be returned to Diavates Prison, where he has been incarcerated since July 26.

Maziotis had been a fugitive since 2011, when he violated the terms of his release ahead of trial, and his 2013 conviction in absentia for acts committed as a member of the terrorist group Revolutionary Struggle.

[53] Former basketball player remanded in custody on drugs charge

The former Aris Thessaloniki player did not convince the magistrate with his claim that the drugs were given to him as "security" by Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) nationals that owned him money for an ordered to duty-free cigarettes.

Misounof was arrested on Thursday when he left a bag containing 1,655 grammes of cannabis, divided in two jars, before a police control and left.

A search in his house revealed a part of a rifle, three mobile phones and 13 packets of contraband cigarettes.

Misounof has been arrested a number of times. In 2004 he was convicted for forgery of credit cards and in 2009 he was found possessing anti-tank rockets and weapons.

[54] Five Laotians arrested in Greece for attempting to travel with fake documents

During a regular check of travel documents by airport security officials for a flight bound for Vienna, Austria, the five foreign nationals presented five forged Chinese passports.

The Laotians will appear before the prosecutor in Kalamata.

[55] Increase in numbers of visitors to museums and archaeological sites in June

It also said that in January-June, there were 20.2 pct more visitors to museums and revenues rose by 26.6 pct, compared to the same period last year.

In terms of archaeological sites, ELSTAT said, that the number of visitors rose by 21.3 pct in June while revenues increased by 14.3 pct in comparison with the year-ago month.

In the January-June period, the number of visitors in archaeological sites rose by 24 pct and revenues increased by 17.1 pct.

Weather forecast

[56] Mostly fair on Saturday

[57] The Friday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance?

EFIMERIDA TON SYNTAKTON: IMF's Lagarde sends out message two days before the meeting with Finance Minister and central banker

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: New memorandum in disguise

ESTIA: Who is after polarisation

ETHNOS: Express lump sums for 50,000 pensioners

IMERISSIA: Bank upgrade

KATHIMERINI: Hard poker for the day-after

LOGOS: Terror in Europe (over Ebola)

NAFTEMPORIKI: In search of a framework for the day-after

RIZOSPASTIS: New benefits for the monopolies, new tough measures for the people

TA NEA: Nikitas Kaklamanis' return to New Democracy increases government majority to 155 deputies

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