Athens News Agency: News in English, 08-07-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] PASOK sees 'social explosion' ahead

[02] Finmin on money-laundering bill

[01] PASOK sees 'social explosion' ahead

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, which was chaired by party leader George Papandreou, party spokesman George Papaconstantinou added that the political council proceeded to a review of the present political conjuncture, discussed organisational issues and the movement's future actions, but preparations for next year's European Parliament elections as well.

According to Papaconstantinou, Papandreou, in his address to the meeting, assessed that the ruling New Democracy (ND) party "has created many impasses, which could lead to developments," inderectly pointing to early general elections and adding that PASOK was ready to face them.

The PASOK leader also estimated that the ND "will do anything in order to remain in office, stamping on the institutions, principles and rules," adding that while his party "is coming out of a crisis the ruling party is entering its own deep crisis."

Papandreou also charged that the government, through its finance minister "admitted the failure of its five-year economic policy."

Referring to the "social crisis", the party spokesman cited data, which he termed "dramatic", and the "decrease in the citizens' purchase power."

Economic difficulties, he claimed, are not linked to the current international crisis and questioned the government's actions in conditions of crisis.

Papaconstantinou also said that "a strong social front is being formed against the government's intentions to bring amendments to a bill which will undermine labour relations, the social insurance funds, social infrastructures in local government authorities, health services and education."

"In front of the impasses, the ND government is weak in handling the crisis and this weakness is expressed through criticism by its own members and more so by the citizens," Papacontsantinou added.

CAPTION: File photo of PASOK leader George Papandreou. (ANA-MPA)

[02] Finmin on money-laundering bill

For new recruits in state-sector enterprises, an article stipulating that their pay increases will be decided based "on the course of the state Budget" has been replaced by new wording that links their pay increases to "the margins of the state budget".

It also adds a guarantee that the "total wages cannot be less than the wages foreseen in national general, sector and same-profession collective labour agreements".

In the amendment on judges' salaries, the new wording allows higher salary increases for first-instance court presidents and other classes of judges that have not been promoted to the next rank because of a lack of positions after having occupied their post for twice the time demanded for promotion.

Finally, in the main body of the bill, Alogoskoufis said that the Committee against money-laundering will have a two-year term rather than a three-year term as originally foreseen, so that they entire system could be assessed.

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