Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-02-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] Parliament debate on opposition 'no confidence' motion to begin immediately

[02] PM Karamanlis confers with FinMin

[03] Gov't eyes renewable energy sources framework

[04] Opposition party withdraws Article 16 question

[01] Parliament debate on opposition 'no confidence' motion to begin immediately

In reply, Interior and Public Administration Prokopis Pavlopoulos said debate on the no confidence motion will begin immediately based on Article 142 of the Rules of Parliament.

Based on the bylaw, debate will continue no later than the 12th evening of the third day from the commencement of debate with a roll call vote. For a no confidence motion to pass, it must be ratified by an absolute majority of the 300-deputy legislature (150 + 1).

Caption: A view of the Greek Parliament building in this file photo dated Thursday, Nov. 9, 2006. ANA-MPA / P. Saitas.

[02] PM Karamanlis confers with FinMin

Replying to press questions afterwards, Alogoskoufis said he and the premier were informed during the course of their meeting that main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou had tabled a 'no confidence' motion against the government in Parliament.

Asked to comment, Alogiskoufis said: "I think it is a reflection of the personal and political impasses that the main opposition leader is facing. The government is prepared to go to Parliament and to elaborate on its body of work, which will be completed by the end of the four-year term."

Alogoskoufis said talks also focused on the course of the economy, which, he stressed, "is developing positively".

Caption: The premier's official office, Maximos Mansion, is shown in this file photo dated Monday, Jan. 9, 2006. ANA-MPA photo M. Marogianni.

[03] Gov't eyes renewable energy sources framework

The minister clarified that following a two-month process of consultations with relevant ministries, agencies in the provinces and the public, as anticipated by the European Union's directive, and after a discussion is held at the national government level, the plan will be ratified by the relevant government body. Negotiations will take place both on the content and in relation to estimated repercussions for the environment.

The minister stressed that the development of renewable energy sources is a primary priority for all of society, with the aim of protecting the environment and managing the greenhouse effect ostensibly behind climate change.

The European Union has set as a target by the year 2010 that 22.1 percent of total power consumption in the Union will be derived from renewable energy sources.

Caption: A wind-powered generator is shown at a new facility in the Didymi site of Argolida prefecture, southeast Greece, in this file photo dated Friday, Oct. 21, 2005. ANA-MPA photo / S. Kahrimanis.

[04] Opposition party withdraws Article 16 question

Alavanos said his partyâs demand that the government withdraw its proposal for revision of Article 16 fell exclusively under the authority of the prime minister, stressing that Karamanlis himself should have attended the session, "so that we could say to him: Karamanlis, open the universities and let the students and professors return to the schools instead of (the latter) taking to the streets to safeguard the public university."

According to Alavanos, dialogue cannot take place with "private universities used as bait ... with brass knuckles, hooded troublemakers and with indignant students and professors."

Parliament first vice-president and ruling ND deputy Sotiris Hatzigakis replied that Parliamentary procedures allowed the prime minister to select which questions he will reply to, whereas statements by the education minister are binding for the government.

Yiannakou, in turn, noted that it was Alavanos' right and prerogative to withdraw his question, but stressed, however, that "the process of Constitutional revision falls under the authority of Parliament and completion of the revision requires that elections intervene, consequently, it falls under the authority of the people".

Regarding the substance of the revision of Article 16, Yiannakou said Synaspismos has merely opted to abstain from dialogue taking place over the past two years, while also charging that the small leftist party had not submitted any alternative.

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