Athens News Agency: News in English, 08-03-17

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] PASOK leader expresses 'indignation'

[02] Parl't debate on social security

[03] More aid to Albania

[01] PASOK leader expresses 'indignation'

He added that "the consequences of what it will create will be neither better services, nor better pensions, nor a more qualitative life."

The PASOK leader expressed his "full support" for working people, stressing that "we are together and a part of the people who are protesting."

He once again called for "the withdrawal of the New Democracy party's bill on the social security issue" and pointed out that "we have tabled our own proposals for tomorrow, for a just, viable and public social security system."

Papandreou also expressed the wish that "the struggle of the working people will be both good and united."

Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of PASOK leader George Papandreou.

[02] Parl't debate on social security

Employment and Social Protection Minister Fani Palli-Petralia said in her address that "we are looking at citizens in the eyes, we are going ahead with the great reform and we are assuming the political cost."

Petralia also said that the government of the New Democracy (ND) party "does not cede to anyone the title of defenders of the working people" and accused the main opposition PASOK party of doing nothing for 20 years "regarding the time bomb on which pensioners and the insured were sitting."

She also rejected criticism by opposition deputies that no social dialogue was held since, as she stressed, she met with all the agencies which also expressed their views to Parliament's committees as well.

PASOK's Parliamentary representative Christos Papoutsis complained about a Parliamentary control day (Monday) being used for legislative work, while calling for the withdrawal of the bill for which "the working people are in the streets."

Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Deputy Achilleas Kantartzis once again called for the bill's withdrawal and spoke of the government's "haste to finish earlier and to pre-empt popular reactions".

Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) Deputy Yiannis Dragasakis said that "no deputy can vote in favour of this bill and ignore the desire of the people."

Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) Deputy Vaitsis Apostolatos said that the dialogue was "minimal and formal", adding that the bill "is not in favour of the many but in favour of the few."

Indicative of Parliament's interest in the issue is the fact that 140 deputies were registered to make addresses on the bill, obliging Parliament President Dimitris Sioufas to announce that the process will be extended until 3:30 Tuesday. The session was attended by the presidents of the Parliamentary groups of PASOK and KKE, George Papandreou and Aleka Papariga.

A part of the discussion on the firsty day was also attended by visiting President of the Bulgarian National Assembly Georgi Pirinski.

[03] More aid to Albania

A C-130 aircraft took off from Elefsina air base transporting medical staff from the 251 Air Force General Hospital, among them an anaesthetist, an orthopedic surgeon and two nurses, as well as 110 boxes of IVs and 37 boxes of hygiene consumables and pharmaceuticals.

Albanian authorities will also be given with five heavy-duty protective bomb-disposal suits and five heavy-duty mine disposal vests, which are being transported to Albania on the same aircraft.

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article