Greek PM Calls Snap Elections
Posted by evdomada on September 3, 2009
In his message delivered to the Greek people, Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis called snap elections, because the government requires a fresh mandate to proceed, as he said, with the financial measures viewed necessary to help the country survive the financial turmoil. Kostas Karamanlis touched on the credit storm and the government’s initiatives regarding the nation’s economy. He then went on to blast the main opposition party for being irresponsible and lacking respect for the nation’s institutions. Karamanlis said he will visit Thursday the President of the Republic and ask him to dissolve the Parliament. The Greek Premier’s decision to call an early vote in autumn has set all the political parties on fire, since the pre-election period will only last one month. Journalistic sources said that the vote has been scheduled for 4 October.
Reactions
“The early vote was called to give either ND or PASOK the alibi to take even more anti-labour financial measures,” commented Aleka Papariga, head of the Greek Communist Party (KKE), and urged the KKE supporters to join their forces to “mess their plans.”
“The Karamanlis administration collapsed under the burden of its deadlock policy,” said SYN (Coalition of the Radical Left) President Alexis Tsipras.“The country is being dragged to elections desired by the major business interests, which want a fresh mandate for one of the two major political parties, so that an even harsher and more painful package of anti-labour measures comes into being. The society is after a real change and not just a government change that will continue the same policy,” added he.
Popular Orthodox Rally President Giorgos Karatzaferis said: “Being weak, Kostas Karamanlis chose to withdraw. Fortunately for the party and the nation, there are reserves.”
