Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-08-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Costas Karamanlis stresses no government commitment abandoned

[02] Papandreou says Greeks demanding change

[01] PM Costas Karamanlis stresses no government commitment abandoned

Referring to the September 16 general elections, Karamanlis spoke of a crucial intersection since, as he said, decisions will have to be taken that will have an impact on the future of the country and of its children.

"There is only one path for us, the path of work and of results, the path of changes and of reforms," he further said, adding that "we are calling on the Greeks to ratify this strategy with their vote in the elections. We are forging ahead for a new and strong mandate to enable us to continue and to complete the strategy of changes and of reforms."

Karamanlis accused the opposition of having a nihilistic attitude towards the work of his government. He predicted that tension and polarisation on the part of the opposition will heighten in the near future, stressing that the New Democracy party will not follow this path.

"It is our decision to leave them alone on the downhill path that they are following. The citizens have condemned these practices and reject them. We are defending the mild political climate, we are turning our backs on practices that have led to diissention in the past. We are looking ahead. We respect all citizens. We are proud of our work and we shall continue the reforms and changes that the country needs," the prime minister said.

Karamanlis also made a brief account of the government's work, stressing that the positive results of his government's policy have been recognised by international organisations and by the country's partners in the European Union.

CAPTION: ANA-MPA file photo of Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis.

[02] Papandreou says Greeks demanding change

"In 27 days, Greece will turn a page and the new government of PASOK will get to work on the day after the elections. The time for the new change has come, that is a national mandate. All the Greeks are demanding a change so that our lives can get better," he said.

Papandreou said that the New Democracy party is leaving because it disappointed the Greeks and created great insecurity, indignation and anger in the citizen and pointed out that the ND government has given all that it had to give.

The PASOK leader said that Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, who stated that he would tidy up the economy, is unable to close this year's budget or to create a new one.

He also spoke of the government's incompetence and of the dissolution of the state apparatus "as was proved by the wildfires."

According to Papandreou, ND is concealing its programme and is asking for a blank cheque:It has a secret plan but it has no programme and for this reason it will get no blank cheque. It will not make the rich even richer and the poor poorer.

PASOK's leader referred at length to the party's programme, terming it complete and specific, which contains commitments and solutions, while assuming the responsibility himself of guaranteeing its implementation to the letter.

Papandreou also promised a fair redistribution of income and a new and fair tax system that will put an end to favourable taxation for capital in relation to taxation for labour.

Lastly, Papandreou said that PASOK will wage a tough but victorious struggle, adding that ND has before it "an unbeatable opponent that is the truth," that can no longer be concealed and that all Greek men and women are aware of.

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

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