The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-03-26

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From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Pension Vote on Tuesday

26 Mar 2008 21:17:00 (Last updated: 26 Mar 2008 21:44:13)

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8

The vote on the social security bill was rescheduled for coming Tuesday week, following the latest developments and the parliamentary initiatives undertaken by the opposition parties. The debate on the motion of censure the Socialist party submitted against the Government is running high, with the wrangling over the pension bill being its centrepiece. The roll call voting on the motion censure was set to take place at midnight on Friday. This means that SYRIZAs (Coalition of the Radical Left) call for a referendum will be discussed in the coming week. In the meantime, Greeces umbrella unions for the private and public sector, GSEE and ADEDY, are in the middle of collective signatures in favour of the referendum. Commenting on the motives behind the no-confidence motion, Employment Minister Fani Palli-Petralia put it down a spasmodic reaction to SYRIZAs call for a referendum. She blasted the main opposition party for being unable to put forth a serious proposal on the pension issue. Being on the same page, Culture Minister Michael Liapis claimed that the Government will have the opportunity to elaborate on its huge work and planned reforms. Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos spoke of an ostensible proposal.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Censure Motion

[02] Klaus Says "No" to Lisbon Treaty

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ANA-MPA

Newly elected Czech President Vaclav Klaus, who is visiting Vienna, is against the Lisbon Treaty. Klaus said that as a citizen, he would voted against the treaty were a referendum to be called, however, as a president, he would respect it and would not obstruct its ratification. A firm eurosceptic, Klaus does not miss exploiting every change he gets to slam the EU resolutions and institutions. Klaus, who had expressed his concerns over the countrys accession into the EU, comparing the "Brussels system" to the "Soviet bloc system," said that the Lisbon Treaty is not that differentiated by the rejected European Constitution.

The Czech President and his Austrian counterpart Heinz Fischer touched on the EU Presidency and the Kosovo issue. Klaus agreed with the Czech Social Democrats and Communists and warned that Kosovos independence and its recognition would make a "dangerous precedent."

The Presidents of Austria and the Czech Republic agreed to meet at the Austrian-Czech border on 20 August to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Prague Spring, a period during which, as Klaus stressed, Austria granted asylum to thousands of political refugees from Czechoslovakia, including Klaus sister.

Translated by Areti Christou

[03] Panathinaikos Wins Greek Basketball Cup

By Giahanatzis Dimitris

Sources: ANA

Panathinaikos claimed Wednesday the Greek Basketball Cup for a fourth year running. With a barrage of three-pointers in the second and third period and a Hitchcock-like finale in the fourth one, the boys of &#381;elimir "&#381;eljko" Obradovi&#263; downed Olympiacos 81-79. The score per period: 12-12, 34-30, 60-50, 81-79.

Translated by Areti Christou

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