Karamanlis Shuts the Parliament Down

Statutes of limitations for 9 scandals expire creating a wave of reactions
Athens.- Tensions are running high after Parliament President Dimitris Sioufas announced the surprise closure of Parliament on Friday night, in view of the European Parliament elections on June 7. The opposition spoke of institutional deviation. However, government officials stated it is not the first time such a thing happens. The Parliament will resume after the Euro elections with the summer recess sessions.

George Papandreou spoke of institutional deviation at PASOK’s National Council, accusing the government of choosing anomy and impunity, inviting the PM to declare dual elections.

Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos stated that what happened is something that happens before Euro elections with the exception of 2004 and some cases when the closure lasted longer the this one. He rejected PASOK’s explanations on writing off responsibilities, as no issue as such was tabled at Parliament.

KKE (Communist Party of Greece) Secretary General Aleka Papariga stated in Germany that Parliament’s closure surprised the government itself, adding that the closure serves the writing off of scandals, as all scandals made until 2007 have been written off.

SYRIZA (Coalition of the Radical Left) Parliamentary spokesman F. Kouvelis described the closure an unprecedented political act, with the government assuming a huge political responsibility, as cases related to any penal responsibilities, involving ministers or deputy ministers will be written off.

LAOS (Orthodox Popular Rally) reported that the prime minister and the government had been harassing the Greek people who see no hop from ND.

Presently, SYRIZA and LAOS’ Parliamentary Groups are holding extraordinary meetings.

PAPANDREOU
The interruption of Parliament sessions constitutes an institutional deviation, reiterated PASOK (Socialists) President George Papandreou at the party’s National Council. He accused the government of acting against institutions and Democracy, calling on the people to be on alert to defend Democracy, the Constitution and their rights. In parallel, he asked from the PM to declare national elections that would coincide with the 7 June euro elections. “Thus, an end would be put to government’s downgrade,” he said.

Mr Papandreou launched a harsh attack against the interruption of the Parliament’s sessions, at a speech delivered at his party’s National Council.

He accused the government of despising the feeling of Justice that has been typical of Greece’s democratic tradition, undermining Democratic institutions at a crucial bend for the nation. He also forecast that a surge of selective muck-raking would take place in the next weeks against PASOK and its leading cadres.

Mr Papandreou stressed that the euroelections would be a referendum that would send the message to the government and the ND party that the Greeks wish to change a course on a national and European level.

“Civilians wish to end once and for all with the ND’s five years of destructive ruling, putting an end to policies that serve big interests that put above all profit,” adding that the people expect a new government to offer them hope and security.

“A Lot will be Put at Stake at the Euro Elections”

Mr Papandreou asked from all his party cadres to join the first line as now is the time for final political attack.

In parallel, he asked all Greeks to vote at the Euro elections, as they do not only constitute a democratic right but a political and moral obligation to our children.

A lot would be put at stake at the Euro elections he added.

“We shall fight a battle to defeat the conservatives who caused the crisis, adding that the European Social Democrats’ victory would be first of all a win for social Europe, green development, social protection, a Europe of equality and solidarity.

Referring to the European Socialists’ targets, he underlined that the Stability Pact should be revised and a Socialist President of the European Commission be elected, rejecting explicitly Jose Manuel Barroso’s re-election.

In reply, government spokesman E. Antonaros said that Mr Papandreou’s concern is how to win power.

“Mr Papandreou seeks in polarization, demagogy and populism a way out to cover his political weakness for serious corporate and applied proposals and it is natural that he is in agony now that he sees that his plan on muck raking, mud-slinging and blague to be failing.

KARAMANLIS
Ruling New Democracy is starting its pre Euro election campaign with the Premier delivering a speech in the party’s Central Committee, Thessaloniki, on Saturday. Mr. Karamanlis attacked the president of the opposition party accusing him of mud-slinging, disinformation, verbosity and partisan prejudice that becomes extreme. On reference to the early closure of Parliament the Premier said: “This government has nothing to hide”, ha nothing to cover and serves with consequence the democratic institutions”. Mr. Karamanlis added that the fact that Parliament always breaks off its works before Euro elections as well as the fact that this Parliament has investigated all cases that were passed by Justice to Parliament have been investigated, are being concealed.

Rising the political tone even more and on reference to the unification of forces for the tackling of the financial crisis, the Premier stressed that the opposition party chose as its tactic the reaction and the mud-slinging.

The opposition party chose, he stated, to drift this country to the road of irresponsibility, to the road of partisan prejudice.

“PASOK leader came to the point to accuse the government of allegedly organized mud-slinging! Of mud-slinging! Even distortion has limits. Verbosity has its limits. Political nerve has its limits! Who does Mr. Papandreou try to deceit? Slanderers are well known in this country. Those who defame the country abroad are known”, he said.

Mr. Karamanlis stressed that by adopting these behaviors “PASOK president is being revealed he is showing that he does not realize the crucial conditions of the circumstances, that he has no plan, no vision for the Country” and continued:

“All his vision start and end with the same craving: How to come to power! All his visions start and end with the same irresponsible notions. He does not hesitate to sacrifice the national interest in sake of partisan and personal achievement. He does not want- he can not- contribute to the fight of Greeks for the exit from the crisis”.

Regarding the government’s choices on the tackling of the crisis, he stressed that the choice was and still is responsibility and honesty to citizens, compared to PASOK leader who, as the Premier said, has never suggested any specific and applicable proposal.

“He turned to wishes. He turned to defaming the country. He turned to populism, self-interest and irresponsibility. “I am moving forward, with strength and determination. We are moving forward all together, with one purpose only: national, social and collective interest”.

On reference to national issues, Mr. Karamanlis underlined that “there are inviolable red lines” which can not be altered can not be bargained can not be abandoned.”

More specifically, as far as FYROM is concerned the Premier called the leadership of the neighboring country to abandon evasions, nationalisms of the past and unfounded historic obsessions.

Mr. Karamanlis also spoke of the construction works taking place in Northern Greece some of which he intends to visit today stressing: “Macedonia and Trace are being developed today to international inter nudes, to commercial and banking centers of Northern Europe to a multi powerful energy channel.

Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis spoke of important challenges at the ND government committee in Thessaloniki, adding that we should all be conscious of our responsibilities.

Referring to PASOK she accused it of muck – raking, adding that its leader George Papandreou appears as if he had not been minister when PASOK ruled.

Defence minister Evangelos Meimarakis commented that the euro elections are not a referendum for out work by a nodal point for us in order to continue until 2011. “We should not underestimate them. PASOK is not interested in seeing Greece move ahead, but is only interested in polls.

COMMUNIST PARTY
Communist Party of Greece (KKE) General Secretary Aleka Papariga on Saturday described the sudden decision to close Parliament until after the European Parliament elections in June as a “literally unexpected action”. Speaking in Germany, where she is currently on a visit, Papariga said her impression was that the move took even the government itself by surprise.

“We believe and we are certain about this, that this choice serves the write off of scandals because for any scandals that have occurred up until 2007 that is that, they are now statute barred,” she added.

Papariga urged Greek voters not to erase from memory either the scandals nor the causes of the scandals, nor the more general responsibility of the two main parties for the corruption that pervaded public life ever more deeply.

VERELIS
Former minister Christos Verelis, a high-profile transport and communications minister in previous PASOK governments, on Friday tendered his resignation as a Parliament deputy. Verelis, a well-known PASOK MP, said he was resigning his seat due to standing disagreements with the political climate that he said has arise in the country over the recent period, a direct reference to a series of cases alternately dubbed “scandals” by one party or the other in a barrage of charges and counter-charges.

“None of this affects me; nothing frightens me”

In referring to the recently emerged MAN furor involving alleged bribes by the German heavy vehicle-maker in order to ostensibly win international tenders, Verelis stated:

“We still do not know what has occurred. There is still not one piece of evidence that is known” (…)