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Thursday, 21 November 2024
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Athens News Agency: News in English, 10-04-22Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] ND: government mistakes led us to IMFThe government's own mistakes and omissions had led the country into the vice-like grip of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and its terms, main opposition New Democracy said on Thursday. ND spokesman Panos Panagiotopoulos accused the government of launching a communications campaign that sought to disorientate public opinion and clear ruling PASOK of its responsibility."It is worth remembering the statements about the 'Titanic', about the supposedly corrupt, almost bankrupt country that resulted in markets rejecting us and raising the cost of borrowing," he added. Panagiotopoulos accused Prime Minister George Papandreou of "populsim" in his attempt to shift the blame for the situation from himself and PASOK. "Mr. Papandreou deliberately overlooks that fact that no side, not even on a European level, had raised an issue of the IMF for Greece," the spokesman stressed, adding that the prime minister had himself put resort to the IMF "on the table". Panagiotopoulos also stressed that ND continued to highlight PASOK's responsibility and had never denied its own share of responsibility. Even if the prime minister finally puts us in the IMF, ND as a major, responsible party will propose specific things so that the country can face the new harsh realisty, defend social cohesion and show a way out of the terms that will be imposed on Greece," he said. [02] Greek seamen to strike next Monday, Labour DayAll Greek-flagged ships will remain docked at Piraeus port for another day on Monday, April 26, due to another 24-hour strike called on that day by the Panhellenic Seamen's Federation (PNO), in protest against plans to lift cabotage restrictions in Greek seas.The PNO has also decided to hold a 24-hour strike on Saturday, May 1, for all Greek-flagged ships and thus participate in the general May 1st Labour Day strike. PNO stressed that it rejected all the announcements and statements made by the prime minister and that Greek seamen will reply with labour mobilisations to the "all-out attack against them". [03] Rehn urges structural reforms and more measures in GreeceBRUSSELS (ANA-MPA/V.Demiris) Figures released by Eurostat over Greeceâs fiscal deficit and public debt are making it necessary to effectively and fully implement fiscal consolidation measures announced for 2010, aimed at cutting the fiscal deficit by four percentage points, EU Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn said on Thursday.In an announcement over Greeceâs fiscal data, the EU Commissioner stressed that Eurostatâs figures underlined "the urgent nature of intensifying preparations for structural reforms and of additional measures in the coming years". Rehn said the European Commission was currently working together with the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund in Athens to finalise details of a support program for Greece. The Finn commissioner also stressed the need to improve the collection and processing of statistical data in Greece, to deliver credible data and clear the landscape from past burdens. The Commissioner underlined the need to offer additional powers to the community statistics agency. [04] Public sector strikeThe civil servants umbrella federation ADEDY President Spyros Papaspyros addressed the protest rally held in Klathmonos Square in Athens on Thursday within the framework of the 24-hour strike in the public sector.Papaspyros called on the workers to form a broad social resistance front, stressing that the support sought from the IMF will usher in a dismal future. He called for an end to the freefall of workers' rights, underlining that all lost rights be restored and pledged that mobilizations will continue with alternative forms of action. The ADEDY trade unionist leaders invited the private sector union GSEE to coordinated action and called for a general strike. Present in the rally were opposition Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) parliamentary group president Alexis Tsipras and main opposition New Democracy (ND) trade union sector head Yiannis Manolis. Limited incidents were recorded in a protest march to the ministry of finance. Protestors in Thessaloniki also engaged in scuffles with the police in their effort to enter the Thessaloniki town hall. Police responded with tear gas and one man had to be rushed to hospital in an ambulance with minor injuries, while one woman suffered respiratory problems. Protestors did manage to break into the building and hang a banner from the first storey, before continuing their march. [05] Stocks plunge 3.91 pctGreek stocks suffered heavy losses in the Athens Stock Exchange on Thursday, hit by news of an upward revision of the countryâs fiscal deficit by Eurostat to 13.6 pct of GDP in 2009 and a new jump in the Greek bond spread to around 600 basis points.The composite index of the market ended at 1,860.76 points, down 3.91 pct, with turnover rising to 238.01 million euros. The FTSE 20 index plunged 4.39 pct, the FTSE 40 index ended 3.58 pct down and the FTSE 80 index fell 2.90 pct. All sectors moved down with the Financial Services (6.02 pct) and Travel (6.03 pct) suffering the heaviest percentage losses of the day. Vivartia (9.35 pct), Texapret (8.33 pct) and Nafpaktos Spinn Mills (7.14 pct) were top gainers, while Ippotour (17.39 pct), Ilis (16.67 pct), Vovos (11.95 pct) and Lamda Development (11.11 pct) were top losers. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 171 to 27 with another 24 issues unchanged. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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