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Athens News Agency: News in English, 08-03-20
CONTENTS
[01] Alavanos calls for reform referendum
[01] Alavanos calls for reform referendum
Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA) Parliamentary group leader
Alekos Alavanos called for a referendum on all-important social
security reforms, a proposal that was later backed by main opposition
PASOK and the Popular Orthodox Rally (LA.OS) party. Addressing
Parliament on Thursday during a wide-ranging debate on the draftbill,
Alavanos suggested that opposition parties should jointly activate
Article 44 of the Constitution, providing for a referendum in the case
of draft laws regulating major social issues. PASOK parliamentary
spokesman Christos Papoutsis said the proposal as very important,
adding that his party accepts its rationale. He also called on SYRIZA
to accept PASOK leader George Papandreou's proposal for an immediate
meeting of political parties represented in Parliament to press forward
with specific proposals. A statement accepting the referendum proposal
was later issued by LA.OS as well. Only one referendum has ever been
held in Greece following the restoration of democracy in 1974, namely,
whether or not a constitutional monarchy would be re-established. A
referendum on the issue, held in December 1974, overwhelmingly opposed
the reinstitution of a constitutional monarchy for the country.
Accession to the European Union and the EMU were also ratified by
Parliament, without a referendum. Caption: ANA-MPA file photo SYRIZA
leader Alekos Alavanos
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