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The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-12-19
From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>
CONTENTS
[01] Debate on State-Budget
[01] Debate on State-Budget
The debate on the state-budget continues in Parliament in the presence
of Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis. The debate is to conclude Sunday
midnight with a vote. Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis stressed
that the budget was prepared and is being debated amid the global
financial crisis, while earlier Tourist Development Minister Aris
Spiliotopoulos had appeared certain that the ND government has not used
all its political reserves that will reverse the situation. PASOK
(Panhellenic Socialist Movement) cadres speak of a "virtual budget of
an absent government that is collapsing." From their side, ND ministers
and MPs are accusing the main opposition party for populism and
alarmism, while the rest of the opposition has criticized the
government over its economic policy. Meanwhile, a rally was held before
the Parliament in protest of the state-budget under the initiative of
GSEE (Greek General Confederation of Labour) and ADEDY (Supreme
Administration of Greek Civil Servants Trade Unions). They both
presented the President of the Parliament with vote demanding the
withdrawal of the state-budget. Political leaders will address the
House on Sunday and the debate will conclude with the prime minister's
speech. Alogoskoufis' SpeechFinance Minister George Alogoskoufis
stressed that the debate on the 2009 state-budget is taking place amid
an unprecedented financial uncertainty all over the world, adding that
have changed to the worse in the world economy in the last
year.However, he stated that with the government's initiatives on the
2009 state-budget, the government is exhausting all margins it has to
boost employment and help low-income earners. Moreover, he said that
the margins would be wider if the public debt passed to the present
government by past ones had not been that big.Mr Alogoskoufis admitted
that global uncertainty is especially big, adding that the latest
indications show that a 2.7% development rate, as set by the new
budget, is a difficult goal. However, this does not mean that the
budget is neither temporal nor in the air as the opposition wishes to
convince us.The minister reported that national concession is necessary
so that the problems are tackled and a big part of the society should
abandon its trade unionist logic. He also criticized strongly PASOK,
accusing it of promising all to everybody and of living in its world.
Its promises cost 11 billion euros per year, he said.Mr Alogoskoufis
commented on Mr Simitis' report on the International Monetary Fund. He
stressed that he was at the ECOFIN extraordinary meeting in Paris
yesterday and that all agreed that the crisis has affected all.
Moreover, that the crisis would be dealt with coordinated efforts
within the framework of the Stability Pact. In parallel, he said that
Greece's recourse to the International Monetary Fund was not raised,
adding that it is not right to slide to irresponsibility and populism
amid a crisis. Tourist Development Minister Aris Spiliotopoulos also
addressed Friday's meeting and referred to the 14 measures on Tourism
announced yesterday by the prime minister. He also said that with ND's
unused political reserves the government would reverse the situation.
Pangalos' ReplyMr Alogoskoufis is supposed to have presented and
audacious policy and failed to materialize the ND's promises made in
2004, adding that the deficit rose to 7%, including to that the
expenses programme on national defence. The EU issued a special
directive not allowing this to happen. Moreover, Mr Alogoskoufis should
explain what has been happening between 2007 and 2008, as he had spoken
of a 1.6% deficit, when now he says it will be 2.5%. He also reported
that the deficit of current transactions was 6% when the ND took over
and now it is 18%, making Greece a world champion. GSEE- ADEDY: The
State-Budget Should not be Implemented During their rally before the
Parliament, GSEE and ADEDY Trade Unionists described the budget unjust
and anti-social, demanding not to be implemented.GSEE President Giannis
Panagopoulos foresaw that austerity would rise, calling on all
employees to see that each euro offered by public funds to end to the
employees and not Banks. Commenting on the take over of GSEE's offices
by groups of youths, Mr Panagopoulos criticized them, adding that
social actions are not suspended with provocations. The crisis is
ahead, he concluded, and cannot be tackled unless the government's
policy is abolished. ADEDY President Spyros Papaspyros asked from the
people and Trade Unionists to adopt a new policy that will be
guaranteeing the rights of the many.Asked by journalists on Mr
Verellis' proposal to have Finance Minister who will enjoy ND and
PASOK's support, Mr Papaspyros said this does not interest the majority
of the employees, describing the proposal just an idea.GSEE President
Giannis Panagopoulos described the proposal fireworks, not ruling out
similar proposals on MPs.
Relative Articles: Debate on Budget ContinuesSources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8,
ÁNA-ÌPA
News item: 16933
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