The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 09-02-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] Papandreou: No Consensus-Elections Right Now

Politics

Socialist leader George Papandreou heralded zero consensus and zero tolerance to the conservative government's deeds, while addressing Sunday an open event in the southern Greek city of Kalamata. Papandreou called anew for early elections, blasting the government for pretending not have listened to it. The main opposition leader unveiled a plan aspiring to help the nation survive the crisis with emphasis given in boosting growth and enhancing the low-income earners.

The Socialist President underlined that the government had failed in all sectors, turning one social group against the other and treating employment as privilege and not a right.

"Their only concern is to keep their positions, while PASOK asks for elections because their keynote concern is the country and its citizens," continued Papandreou.

Touching on the Prime Minister, George Papandreou stressed that he kept pledging stuff, and blasted the government for masterminding scandals.

Source: NET, NET 105.8, ANA/MPA

News item: 18960

[02] Hountis Announces His Candidacy

SYRIZA (Coalition of the Radical Left) wraps up Sunday night its conference. The party's secretary, Nikos Hountis announced his candidacy for the SYN European parliament elections ballot, while Fotis Kouvelis reiterated that the party should not be indifferent to the content of the governance, urging those who thought otherwise to speak up.

"SYRIZA should be interested in the content of the governance model," commented Fotis Koubelis, underlining, "A modern and radical Left should pursue to influence the government power."

Kouvelis stressed, "an alternative governance, built upon a new social and political majority, has always given and still gives an impetus to shaping a more effective reaction to the ruling Conservatives' neo-liberal policies, and to offering a promising way out of the weakened two political party system.

"I believe," continued Kouvelis, "that SYN, keeping the struggle of ideals and policies alive, ought to convince it is pushing for an open and honest political proposal."

Nikos Hountis, on the other hand, focused on the forthcoming elections for the European Parliament and announced his candidacy.

"My candidacy is a manifestation of my willingness to serve our collective decisions and put my heart and soul into the processing and implementing of our policy in the European Parliament," claimed he. He then went on to term the elections as yet another chance for SYN to undertake initiatives both in Greece and in Europe.

News item: 18961

[03] Chavez Seeks Re-Election Chance in Venezuela Vote

America-USA

Venezuela's socialist President Hugo Chavez seeks voters' support on Sunday for a reform that would let him stay in power for as long as he keeps winning elections. Chavez, who took office 10 years ago and wants to stay on at least another decade, holds a slim lead in polls but many Venezuelans remain undecided, meaning the vote will hinge on which camp better activates its get-out-the-vote machinery.

If he loses in what is his second attempt to scrap term limits with a referendum, Chavez would have to leave office in 2013 or find another way to change the rules so he can stand again.

Spearheaded by a popular but inexperienced student movement, the fragmented opposition's campaign slogan is "No is No," referring to Chavez's failed effort in 2007 to rewrite the constitution so he could extend his rule in the OPEC nation.

Confident of victory this time, Chavez said on Saturday a win would reinforce his mandate to create a socialist state and challenge U.S. influence in Latin America. "This will strengthen my faith in what we are doing," the 54-year-old president said.

But win or lose, he faces a tough year.

With oil prices more than $100 a barrel lower than their peak seven months ago, Chavez has far less income to spend on his programs of clinics, schools and food hand-outs for the poor Venezuelans who have consistently backed him.

Venezuela's currency and sovereign debt have lost value in recent months as investors worry his Cuba-inspired socialist "revolution" will burn through international reserves.

Source: REUTERS

News item: 18959

[04] Incidents in Dresden

Europe

Riot police have clashed with demonstrators in the German city of Dresden. Despite attempts to keep supporters from opposing political groups apart, two police cars were over turned and several arrests were made.

February 14 is the anniversary of the Allied Forces 1945 firebombing of the city by US and German forces. For the last ten years, groups linked to the neo-Nazi, National Democratic Party have marked the day with marches. This year was their largest yet with 6000 taking part.

News item: 18957

[05] Obama-Medvedev Meeting on 2 April

America-USA

Amidst the global credit crisis and shortly before the G20 Summit kicks off, Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev will hold their first meeting. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that the Presidents of the USA and Russia would probably meet in London on 2 April.

Medvedev and Obama had already talked over the phone twice on the ties between the two nations, stressed Lavrov, further adding that both sides wanted to have the relations between Moscow and Washington thawed.

The ties between the two nations had been delivered a blow after the decision by the Bush administration to include European countries in its missile defence plans against nations, such as Iran and North Korea.

The move has angered Russia as it sees the system as a threat to its security.

On Friday, US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns attempted to thaw ties with Russia, stressing that the USA might adjust controversial missile defence plans if Russia helps in eliminating threats from North Korea and Iran.

Sergei Lavrov, in his interview with German magazine Der Spiegel, counter-proposed a tripartite missile defence shield with the Europe's participation.

In an interview with Vesti Nedeli on Friday, Medvedev said he was looking forward to an open, honest and productive discussion on all themes of bilateral relations at his first meeting with Obama. He believes that the signals that have been arriving from the U.S. president and his administration are evidence of their business-like mood.

News item: 18956

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