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Europe took over the debt, for Greece is left the budget deficit

24 July 2011 / 19:07:20  GRReporter
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At a time when it appears that the country takes on a smoother path with regard to debt management, government, PASOK and its parliamentary group is demonstrating their increasing inability to find a basis for cooperation and common progress, in order to coordinate the implementation of the policy, referred to as the only possible way out of the crisis. According to many turning the European decisions into economic and political practice, their interpretation within and outside the country, and their consequences, will determine to what extent the government and the Prime Minister George Papandreou are able to regroup their forces, to undertake the observance of their commitments and at the same time to stop the avalanche of cuts in the income of the citizens. According to most government executives, however, none of the above mentioned can be considered at this time for sure and for a fact. Most of them agree, however, that under the existing conditions they can not continue with "crab walking" and dissent that are likely to reach unprecedented sizes with unknown consequences in economic, social and political plan.

In recent weeks in the PASOK parliamentary group are appearing multiple attempts at autonomy, reactions against bills, even "riots" of members of the parliament as the on from the «21st», last week against the Minister of Infrastructure Ioannis Rangusis of whom they requested to discuss the project for liberalization of the taxis.

On these occasions among the members of parliament from PASOK there are trends towards withdrawal, or under the pressure from professional groups such as. taxi drivers, or under the pressure from local interests, as in the case of the administrative mergers of hospitals which Andreas Loverdos presented last Thursday, and immediately caused confusion and debate in the corridors of the Parliament, as many lawmakers were quick to express their objections to the conditions under which the mergers of hospitals in their electoral districts are carried out.

The strongest attack came, however, with the rejection by 14 members of the majority of the proposal to establish an advisory council for bringing the former ministers of the New Democracy Giorgos Alogoskoufis and Christos Markoyanakis to the investigating commission in connection with the Siemens case.

With respect to the debate and the voting on the framework law on higher education, the reactions are already expressed by the rector, close to PASOK, such as the Rector of the University of Thessaloniki Ioannis Milopulos and largely accepted by a group of members of the Parliament. As a result, the Minister of Education Anna Diamandopoulou has already begun her attempts for political and psychological preparation of the lawmakers.

Looking at the elections

All this once again worries the government members and the associates of Mr. Papandreou, who noted that no European decision has repealed the basic commitment of the Government, which is steadfast observation of the medium term plan, which according to them remains as it is and includes many moments that are supposed to cause friction within the government over the coming weeks. Given all this and based on the emerging realities after the recent European decisions, among members of PASOK is being formed the impression that the possibility for an economic collapse that will lead to elections is drifting away. It seems that the discussion of turning to the polls is acquiring new features, based on a decision and planning and as far as there are some favorable results from the moment in which the implementation of the decisions taken in Brussels last Thursday begin.

Evangelos Venizelos interlocutor

Given this, in the government shape new balances and the roles are already clear. Εvangelos Venizelos, in his capacity of deputy prime minister, has a leading political role and according to the information is already taking the full control of all ministerial decisions, which fall in the medium term plan. The activity of the Minister of Finance is found in constant parliamentary engagements and public appearances, telephone calls and meetings with political leaders, including Antonis Samaras, Alexis Tsipras, Dora Bakoyannis and Fotis Kouvelis.

This new activity of Mr. Venizelos gave many results so far. It has somewhat limited (even neutralized) the internal party reactions against the Ministry of Finance. A typical example is the lack of any objection to the regulation of gambling machines which during the government of the former Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou did not pass, while last week it was voted with a summary proceedure.

"Mutiny" of leaders and trade unionists

In this period there are serious problems between the party factors and members of PASOK. The latest wave of reactions against lawmakers and ministers during party events in many cases was orchestrated by members (present and former) of PASOK itself. The failure to prevent, control and limitation these reactions is indicative of the disorganization, that has gripped the party. From the headquarters on Street "Ippokratous" the party secretary Michalis Kahrimakis recently acted mainly as an intermediary between ministers and local party cadres and trade unionists, avoiding to publicly express a position on the hot topics and trying to build bridges on the differences.

Tags: PASOK reactions mutiny lawmakers budget deficit
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