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Sunday, 22 December 2024 | ||
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Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-07-12Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] PASOK leader addresses meeting in ThessalonikiMain opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) leader George Papandreou inaugurated on Wednesday evening in Thessaloniki his party's campaign for October's mayoral and prefectural elections saying that the northern port city was "hit by the government's policy just as is the case for the entire country.""The Greek citizen feels strongly insecured and the New Democracy government has succeeded in transforming the country into a champion of pessimism in Europe," Papandreou noted. "We are here to give again a vision to the farmer, the worker and the pensioner. To voice out that there is another path," he added. "This country, our Greece, has a voice. A strong voice which should be heard, even from the main opposition's post. We won't let this voice to fall silent. Let the present government wake up at last. It has already lost the train," the PASOK leader pointed out. He termed the government "not serious, dangerous and unreliable", claiming that it had rediculed the country on the fiscal audit issue and the FIFA affair. Papandreou accused Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis for "covering up the phone tapping scandal for eleven months." He also criticised the government on its education reform plans. Referring to Thessaloniki he said he wanted the port city to become a "competitice city" adding that it "must find its identity". Papandreou also presented his party's mayoral and prefectural candidates for Thessaloniki Chrysa Arapoglou and Voula Patoulidou respectively. Government response Government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos, responding to Papandreou accused him of irresponsible populism. "Mr. Papandreou chose Thessaloniki today to stage one more performance of irresponsible populism. Thessaloniki, which the practices of the governments of the past had made a city-symbol of mockery and unreliability. Thessaloniki of promises that remained unfulfilled. Thessaloniki of the 'major projects' which were announced every year, but which never got under way. Mr. Papandreou made one more unfortunate choice. Thessaloniki has turned a new page. In Thessaloniki, as well as all over Greece, the citizens have a means of comparison. Mr. Papandreou cannot deceive them," Roussopoulos said. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |