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Thursday, 21 November 2024 | ||
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Athens News Agency: News in English, 09-06-07Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] PM: Nation's future above allPrime Minister Costas Karamanlis on Sunday evening insisted that the poor showing by his ruling New Democracy (ND) during the European Parliament elections the same day will only increase his resolve to push forwards "on the path towards responsibility".Karamanlis also pointed to the unprecedented, by Greek standards, absenteeism, which reaches near the 48-percent mark, saying that this characterises the political message from the 2009 Euro-elections and citizens' dissatisfaction. Additionally, the prime minister said that citizens demand, now more so than ever, a more effective management of the ongoing economic crisis, "and this is the primary responsibility of the government." "The election results, of course, do not please us. It is clear that a significant portion of ND voters chose to air their protest and send their message, namely, abstention. "However, the results of the Euro-elections have a wider significance ... whatever cheering is far from citizens' message. Citizens primarily demand one thing: The highest possible effectiveness in dealing with the repercussions of the economic crisis," Karamanlis said in a nationally televised address from the Zappeion Hall in central Athens. In conclusion, he said: "We recognise that certain behaviours (by high-ranking party cadres and former ministers) have bothered many, violating the principles I, myself, have set forth from the first moment when I assume the responsibility of the government's reins." [02] Papandreou hails Euro-election resultsMain opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou on Sunday evening termed his party's performance in the same-day Euro-elections as a "hope for a better tomorrow", at the same time noting that "the first major step towards turning a page for the country has been made."The PASOK leader referred to an "overturning of the country's political situation", underlining that "everything begins today." Stressing that there were no winners or defeated citizens, he said underlined that what was defeated in Sunday's Euro-elections were "policies that must be overturned". Papandreou also said his party's victory "is a victory of progressive forces, which opens the way for a major change, one that the country needs," noting that the results were "a condemnation of neo-liberal ideology and practice." He also reminded that his party has been asking for national elections for some time now, "for the salvation of the country", adding that this demand has now become a "popular demand". "The prime minister can no longer prevent Greek citizens from changing the course," Papandreou concluded. [03] Åuro-elections results at 60.88% of the voteBased on the latest figures announced by Greece's interior ministry for the European Parliament elections, held on Sunday throughout the country, and with 60.88 percent of the vote tallied so far (12,500 election precinct out of 20,352), results show:PASOK 36.18 percent New Democracy 33.45 Communist Party of Greece 8.00 Popular Orthodox Rally 7.02 Radical Left Coalition 4.60 Ecologists-Greens 3.39 [04] Euro-elections results at 40.24% of the voteBased on the latest figures announced by Greece's interior ministry for the European Parliament elections, held on Sunday throughout the country, and with 40.24 percent of the vote tallied so far (8,263 election precinct out of 20,352), results show:PASOK 36.18 percent New Democracy 33.98 Communist Party of Greece 7.85 Popular Orthodox Rally 6.97 Radical Left Coalition 4.55 Ecologists-Greens 3.33 Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |