Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 15-03-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] Parliament passes humanitarian crisis bill

[02] SYRIZA's strong lead over ND, shows opinion poll

[03] Economy Min. Stathakis: There are forces in EU that want to cancel Eurogroup's agreement

[01] Parliament passes humanitarian crisis bill

The first four articles concerning the provision of free electricity, food allowance and housing to households living in extreme poverty were voted unanimously by the plenary. However, the fifth article, which authorises the government to determine precisely, through a joint ministerial decision, the income and other parameters to identify beneficiaries, was not voted by Golden Dawn, To Potami and the Communist party (KKE).

[02] SYRIZA's strong lead over ND, shows opinion poll

Specifically, at a question if general elections were held today what you would vote, 40.2 of the respondents said SYRIZA and 21 pct said New Democracy.

The Communist Party (KKE) was third in the citizens' preference with 4.9 pct followed by Golden Dawn 4.8 pct, Independent Greeks with 4.5, To Potami with 4.3 pct, PASOK with 2.5 pct, Democrats Socialists Movement 1.8 pct.

At the possibility of early general elections, 94 pct of the citizens asked said they are against and 4.8 pct said they see it positively.

[03] Economy Min. Stathakis: There are forces in EU that want to cancel Eurogroup's agreement

Stathakis said that the ministry has already started the necessary procedures and had a contact with the European Central Bank as well as with the Greek Banks Union on the government's intentions.

On the general issue of dealing with the households and businesses' bad loans, the minister clarified that it is a process that needs time to be completed. However, within the next days the ministry will be in the position to present a comprehensive regulation that will lead to the problem's solution, he said.

At a question where the necessary capitals that will finance these loans will be found, the minister said that they will come from the Financial Stability Fund.

He also referred to the government's priorities on the restart of the economy and the invigoration of the business interest noting that the simplification of the licencing procedures will continue and within the next months the Citizens Facilitation Centers (KEP) for businesses will be ready to operate, the growth law will change and the new one will offer incentives to the small and medium sized enterprises, the young enterpreneurship and to businesses that can have high added value for the economy.

The minister expressed his opinion that finally the country will reach an agreement with its partners despite the fact that there are 'powers' in the EU that are trying to cancel the February 20 Eurogroup agreement and to send the country back to a memorandum.

Regarding the government's red lines in prime minsiter Alexis Tsipras' meeting with EU top officials on the sidelines of the EU Summit on Thursday and in his meeting on Monday in Berlin with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, he said that the country will not accept any additional measures that will further burden the Greek citizens.

Finally, referring to the privatisations, Stathakis said that those that have been completed will not change, there will be a negotiation for those that are in progress adding that for those that the procedure has not started it will not open at all.

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