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Thursday, 21 November 2024
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Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 15-02-19Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Prokopis Pavlopoulos elected new Greek presidentANA - MPA -- Prokopis Pavlopoulos was voted the next Greek president on Wednesday evening by the Greek Parliament, with a total of 233 votes that included the ruling coalition parties and New Democracy (ND). Pavlopoulos was the candidate proposed by the senior ruling coalition partner SYRIZA. He was endorsed by junior partner ANEL and by main opposition ND party, whose minister he once was. To Potami's candidate, Nikos Alivizatos, received a total of 30 votes; he was also supported by PASOK. Extreme-right Golden Dawn (Chryssi Avgi) and the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), voted "present". In total, 32 lawmakers voted "present". Pavlopoulos will replace President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias, whose second and last term ends in March.The newly-elected President, accepted on Wednesday his election from parliament as a great debt towards Greek citizens, following a visit by Parliament speaker Zoi Konstantopoulou at 10.30, who officially announced him the result. This debt is represented in the oath of the President, Pavlopoulos said, which has four main pillars: The strict adherence to the Constitution without any compromises, the defense of national sovereignty, the protection of the weak and the protection of national interest. "Defence so that we can exit the nightmare of the crisis we're living. We are giving a fight along with other European people, not just for us, but for Europe itself," he noted. Pavlopoulos also said he has never made any compromises so far in his life and this is what he'll do until the last day in office. [02] The current bailout programme is dead, PM Tsipras tells Stern magazineANA - MPA -- The current Greek bailout programme is over and austerity measures included in it have failed, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras told Stern magazine in an exclusive interview published on the magazine's website on Wednesday."To us, the old austerity programme is dead. Anyone coming up with ideas like that is wasting their time," Tsipras was quoted as saying to the German adding that the proposal to extend the programme by six months did not make sense. The premier noted that there was no room in Europe for ultimatums like the one given to Greece to agree to a Eurogroup proposal by Friday. "There should be no place in the EU for such an ultimatum. Nobody can command us to take over from where the Samaras government left off." Asked by the journalist what Greece is requesting, Tsipras said: "We don't want any new assistance loans. We want time to be able to press on with our reforms. That's why we need a bridge programme. It would also allow us to raise additional financial resources through short-term government bonds." He also requested that Europe does not impose new measures. Asked whether Greece was preparing itself for leaving the euro zone with a plan B, Tsipras said: "We don't need such a plan. Because we will stay in the euro. But we won't achieve this objective at the expense of the weak – like our previous government." Speaking on the German Finance Minister's proposal to send 500 tax investigators to help Greece deal with tax evasion, Tsipras said he said he welcomes the assistance. "He should send 5000 if they can help us to combat tax evasion." [03] Varoufakis: 'I believe the Greek proposal will be approved on Friday'ANA - MPA -- Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis expressed on Wednesday his belief that the Greek proposal for achieving an agreement with the country's international lenders will be approved through a teleconference on Friday."All the indications are good. At the Euro working group (EWG) there will be an outcome that will satisfy both the Greek side and the president of the Eurogroup," Varoufakis said exiting the Parliament, following the election of a new Greek president. "On Friday, I believe the Greek proposal will be approved by teleconference at the Eurogroup meeting," he added. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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