Papandreou Starts Making a Difference for PASOK

ATHENS.- Decision by Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis to resign from the presidency of the ruling party and to call for early election, on March 7, has boosted PASOK chances, as the first polls published in Athens’ Sunday papers have shown.
Metron Analysis shows the gap between PASOK and right wing New Democracy party decreasing. People responding to the question which party they think will win, chose ND with 41.3%, over 31.9 for PASOK. Last must, similar gallops we showing a difference of more than 25 percentage points.

But the voters prefer George Papandreou over Costas Karamanlis, as the best for Prime Minister, with 44.6%, over 40.2%. Asked which political party the trust in the government, both parties are tied with 39.5%.

MRB shows a slightly higher difference between the two parties, (51.4%, over 38.9%), in the replies to question “which party you think will win) and gives to Costas Karamanlis an 1.7 percentage point advantage over George Papandreou.

Political pundits think PASOK now is having a good shot to retain power.

PAPANDREOU IN PATRAS

Giorgos Papandreou said that the people share a big hope for a new Greece, in statements he made en route to the city of Patras where he was warmly received by local people in the regions of Achaia and Corinth in the Peloponesse, southern Greece. Mr. Papandreou stated that he was very moved by the enthusiasm displayed by the people and added that the responsibilities undertaken by himself and the governing Socialist Party are big and want to respond to the expectations, the problems of the people and the big hope for a new Greece based on the big effort already made. This support gives us great strength, stressed Mr. Papandreou.

Asked to comment on the warm reception he had by the people, he stressed characteristically that the people speak for themselves, adding that this is the voice of the people.

George Papandreou made an appeal to the people especially, the young to participate in a new creative struggle to meet the challenges of the times and contribute to the creation of the new Greece. Mr. Papandreou stated that he visited the region to be inspired for the new beginning, which is based on the work of Andreas Papandreou and Kostas Simitis.

Speaking to the people, who received him warmly in spite of the heavy rain, he spoke about a new Greece characterized by a sense of trust between the state and the people, adding that all the healthy powers in the country should be mobilized and that this is a time of responsibility for the party to become more open to society and be able to meet the new challenges.

Mr. Papandreou also visited the town of Kalentzi where he laid flowers to the statue of his grandfather Giorgos Papandreou. He also visited the house of his grandfather and the museum.

COSTAS KARAMANLIS

Right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis stated that the dialogue between the people and the politicians should not start just before the elections and end as soon as the election results are out. He was referring to Giorgos Papandreou, who is the candidate for the leadership of the governing Socialist Party of PASOK.

Mr. Karamanlis speaking at Halandri, Athens stated that people who have cosigned all the government decisions cannot talk about renewal and stated that the changes made in PASOK constitute just a new wrapping for the same old product, stressing that the change cannot be made with used material from the past.

The big changes need understanding and consensus, stated the leader of New Democracy stressing that the dilemma presented is the same policy or a change of policy with a new government.

The New Democracy leader accused the government of state mechanism mobilization to serve the party and also stated that the results of the government indifference toward the local societies is obvious.

He stressed that while others are relying on the mass media, New Democracy relies on the broad social alliance and the people themselves.

COSTAS SIMITIS

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis will visit Tempi, central Greece on Monday to inaugurate the new railway line linking Evangelismos with Leptokaria, the new Axios River Bridge and the tunnels of Tempi and Platamonas.

As a result of the projects mentioned, the time needed to travel by train from Thessaloniki to Athens will be 4 1/2 hours compared to 6 hours and 8 minutes it was in 1994.

On Tuesday, the Prime Minister will meet with party parliament candidates in the presence of Mr. Papandreou, Mr. Chrisochoidis and other leading PASOK members.

On Thursday and Friday, Mr. Simitis will be in Iraklion, Crete where he will present the plans for the development.