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Athens News Agency: News in English, 03-06-28
CONTENTS
[01] ND calls for early elections, gov't insists on polls in spring 2004
[01] ND calls for early elections, gov't insists on polls in spring 2004
27/06/2003 23:40:16
Main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Costas Karamanlis on Friday
called for early general elections, saying that ''the national interest
imposes elections, now'' while addressing a meeting of his party's
parliamentary group, with the government replying shortly afterwards,
via its spokesman Christos Protopapas, that elections ''will be held in
the spring of 2004''.
Addressing the ND parliamentary group, and citing a recent statement by
prime minister Costas Simitis that ''initiatives are necessary'',
Karamanlis said that ''the only effective initiative is elections''.
''Greece cannot withstand an extended pre-election period or
party-political games''.
Protopapas, speaking at a press briefing later, said that Karamanlis
was ''altering his position and calling for early elections in order to
satisfy a portion of his internal audience'', and ''resorting to
pre-electoral fireworks in an effort to create impressions''.
''But elections will take place in spring 2004 and the government, with
the achievements it has already presented, will develop new political
initiatives and fulfill the commitments it has undertaken vis-a-vis the
Greek people,'' Protopapas added.
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