Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-07-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] Papandreou: 'Complete breakdown' in state functions

[01] Papandreou: 'Complete breakdown' in state functions

Papandreou, the former foreign minister, said the lacklustre response, as he charged, to the fires stems from a perception by the ruling New Democracy government that the state is ripe for "plunder".

The PASOK leader further charged that the recent wildfires reveal a lack of prevention, planning and coordination, while charging that the government is "identified" with an attack on the social state and public domain.

He also referred to a personnel shortage in the fire brigade, lack of meritocracy and "persecutions" based on political affiliation.

Turning to other issues - as the session mostly focused on matters falling within the interior and public administration ministry's portfolio - Papandreou decried what he called the under-funding and "collapse" of all levels of education; the skyrocketing of private health care costs for the average family and a "complete failure" of the government's economic policy.

In other matters, Papandreou reiterated his accusation that the government's has a "hidden agenda" involving social security reforms, while outlining PASOK's position in favour of granting eligible expatriate Greeks the right to vote in the nationwide tally, without the votes, however, counting towards the election of deputies in specific voting precincts.

Other issues up for discussion at the PASOK parliamentary council included developments in Turkey and Cyprus.

Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of PASOK leader George Papandreou.

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