Athens News Agency: News in English, 04-03-06

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] PASOK leader addresses last party rally ahead of Sunday's general

[01] PASOK leader addresses last party rally ahead of Sunday's general elections

PASOK leader George Papandreou, speaking at his party's last rally at Pedion tou Areos Square in central Athens on Friday night, ahead of Sunday's general elections, began his address with the words ''we are the winners.''

Papandreou focused his address on three points. His vision of the future, the attack on the main opposition New Democracy party and the appeal to voters of other parties.

Referring to his vision of the future, Papandreou said it was of a Greece of culture and education, which shall have values, knowledge and creativeness as its strength.

''The measure of our policy and commitments is man, with his needs, his desires, his anxieties and his hopes,'' the PASOK leader said.

Papandreou said that if elected prime minister, he will guarantee a safe path for the country's future, the country's prestige and international position, nationally acceptable and just solutions to the issues of Cyprus and the continental shelf and real convergence with the European Union over the next 10 years.

He promised that no young man or young woman under the age of 30 will be left without support. Tens of thousands of part-time jobs will be created, as well as thousands of social work jobs with municipalities.

Papandreou lashed out at ND, saying ''it was lying in claiming the country was coming last everywhere in Europe,'' while as Eurostat announced on Friday Greece comes first in growth rate with five percent at a time when ND is promising to achieve the same rate over the next four years.

He also criticised ND for opposing the policy of Economic and Monetary Union, decisions taken at the EU's Helsinki summit, Olympic Games projects and even all-day schools.

Papandreou stressed that ''against the danger of the restoration of the Right stands the only real popular majority, which is the majority of the democratic and progressive party, as well as the citizens voting for all the other progressive parties,'' who he called on to close ranks since they are linked together in many ways.

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article