Athens News Agency: News in English, 03-06-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] ND calls for early elections, gov't insists on polls in spring 2004

[01] ND calls for early elections, gov't insists on polls in spring 2004

Main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Costas Karamanlis on Friday called for early general elections, saying that ''the national interest imposes elections, now'' while addressing a meeting of his party's parliamentary group, with the government replying shortly afterwards, via its spokesman Christos Protopapas, that elections ''will be held in the spring of 2004''.

Addressing the ND parliamentary group, and citing a recent statement by prime minister Costas Simitis that ''initiatives are necessary'', Karamanlis said that ''the only effective initiative is elections''.

''Greece cannot withstand an extended pre-election period or party-political games''.

Protopapas, speaking at a press briefing later, said that Karamanlis was ''altering his position and calling for early elections in order to satisfy a portion of his internal audience'', and ''resorting to pre-electoral fireworks in an effort to create impressions''.

''But elections will take place in spring 2004 and the government, with the achievements it has already presented, will develop new political initiatives and fulfill the commitments it has undertaken vis-a-vis the Greek people,'' Protopapas added.

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