Athens News Agency: News in English, 08-01-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM: Government cannot be coerced

[01] PM: Government cannot be coerced

Karamanlis stressed that he has never made concessions or 'discounts', nor would he make concessions or 'discounts', on matters of legality, principles and values.

The premier strongly criticised those who "opt for the path of pillorying, of generalised belittlement, stressing that no one has the right to "sow the seed of fear and resignation" among the citizens, nor to adopt unfounded claims. "This is unfair, dangerous, and deeply undemocratic," Karamanlis said.

Elaborating his question, Alavanos, whose Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (Synaspismos) party heads the SYRIZA group, said that there was a climate of decay and morbidity in the country, and asked the prime minister point-blank whether he had faced a coercion attempt.

Recalling the Koskotas banking scandal and the referral of the then prime minister over the matter, Alavanos asked why the New Democracy government rejected the proposal for setting up a parliamentary fact-finding commission over the "major scandal" that has emerged.

Alavanos also called on the prime minister to dismiss the chief of the Financial Crimes Squad (SDOE), given rampant rumours of his involvement in the case.

He further referred to rumours implicating an ND deputy in the affair "who was found in a procedure of collusion, with good or bad intentions", adding that it was not possible that the prime minister should not demand information from those making the accusations, and not defend or charge the MP who, Alavanos said, was "crucial to the government's existence".

Replying, Karamanlis said that the government does not conceal or cover-up anything, fears nothing, has never spared and will not spare anyone.

Regarding the 'morbid climate', the premier said he was determined to do everything needed to rid the country of that climate.

He stressed that every wrongdoing that was uncovered was referred to justice "which we have faith in and whose work we support", and expressed his certainty that "Justice is in a position to find and uncover what is behind this affair".

Caption:Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis speaking in parliament during the Hour of Prime Minister on Fri.18 Jan.2008 ANA-MPA/PANTELIS SAITAS

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