Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-12-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] Papandreou on Paleokrassas resignation

[02] Budget deficit drops

[01] Papandreou on Paleokrassas resignation

Papandreou charged that ruling New Democracy party is not a "victim" of collusion plaguing Greece's public sector, but a "creator and participant".

"The government is playing the game of vested interests, where the victims are wage-earners and every Greek household," he said, while charging that PM Costas Karamanlis was personally to blame for the Paleokrassas affair, as the latter was former's personal choice.

Regarding a closely watched draft bill, unveiled by the government last week, aimed at harmonising labour relations in state-owned enterprises with those in the private sector, Papandreou charged that the government is portraying the "reformer" with measures "against working people".

Gov't spokesman

The difference between main opposition PASOK and the government is that the latter does not leave any allegations pending and when the need arises takes the matter to court, Government Spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos said on Friday in response to main opposition leader George Papandreou's criticism over the resignation of Power Public Corporation (DEH) Chairman Yiannis Paleokrassas.

Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (SYN) Spokesman Nikos Voutsis also commented on Papandreou's statements on governmental reforms, saying that "Unfortunately, the President of PASOK and leader of the main opposition gives the government, with his comments, the green light to proceed with weakening workers' rights, allowing the sell out of public assets and drastically reducing the social state."

[02] Budget deficit drops

Net revenue rose by 5.8% against the first ten months of 2004, the accounting office said in a statement.

Spending rose by 5.0% with growth in primary expenditure at 5.2%.

In ten-month 2004, the budget deficit had risen by 19.7% versus 2003, the statement said.

On Thursday, Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis said that revenue collected by tax offices and customs rose by 9.1%, bringing the average for January-November 2005 to 5.4%, according to initial figures.

"The 2005 budget anticipated an increase of 5.0%, and, if the current trend is maintained, then we will top the revenue target, and the deficit is likely to be lower than 4.3%," the minister noted.

Income from Value Added Tax in November grew by 11.6%, and in October by 9.3%.

"These trends support budgetary forecasts. The improvement in public revenue is discernible," Alogoskoufis said.

The budget for 2006 includes a decline in the fiscal deficit to 2.6% of gross domestic product, a further decline in the public debt, and a strengthening of development and social cohesion.

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