Athens News Agency: News in English, 08-09-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM rules out early elections, reshuffle, at TIF press conference

[01] PM rules out early elections, reshuffle, at TIF press conference

Replying to press questions about disagreement with government policy voiced by ruling party MPs, Karamanlis stressed that every MP has the right to his own opinion, but added that there was a commitment to support the government's program and, "from there onwards, everyone assumes his responsibilities".

To a relevant question, Karamanlis ruled out early general electins being called, stressing that the government had received a year ago a "strong mandate" by the Greek people, and has "much work ahead", referring to the September 2007 general elections in which ND was re-elected to government, while on a question of whether a government reshuffle could be expected, Karamanlis replied that "there is no such issue".

He further rejected recent charges by main opposition PASOK of adulteration of the (<ay 27) vote in parliament on revision of the Constitution, stressing that even (political) gaffes could not be excused by the lack of positions and proposals, and warned that PASOK's attacks against the institutions were "irresponsible and dangerous".

Karamanlis further said that next year's European Parliament elections were "significant", and had a "political content", but added that they did not elect a government and do not decisively influence the political developments.

To a question on the prospect of collaborations with other political parties in the event that a parliamentary majority did not arise in the next parliamentary elections, Karamanlis reiterated that he does not cooperate "with the extremes", nor does he see margins for other types of collaborations.

Caption: Prime minister Costas Karamanlis speaking during a press conference on Sunday at the 73rd Thessaloniki International Fair. (ANA-MPA)

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