Athens News Agency: News in English, 09-01-24

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Papandreou: state not the winner's fiefdom

[02] Scuffles with police during march in Athens

[03] Athens Newspaper Headlines

[01] Papandreou: state not the winner's fiefdom

"The state is not the fiefdom of whoever wins the elections," PASOK's leader underlined. "For the last five years, the citizens feel that they live in an insecure environment."

"The citizen feels that what is right does not prevail in our country. What comes across is the view that everyone is out for himself," Papandreou said, adding that the views of the present government had brought about a deep crisis in democracy.

He underlined that judges and prosecutors had a decisive role in protecting what was right and just, while claiming that there had been selective prosecution of judges along political party lines, and the existence of a small number of judges that were acting as advisors to ministers.

Regarding the most recent scandal over the land swaps between the state and the Vatopedi Monastery on Mount Athos, he said the government had attempted to have this written off and asked for meritocracy and transparency.

Caption: Main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou addressing the Judges and Prosecutors' Union general assembly in Athens on Saturday. ANA-MPA - A. Beltes

[02] Scuffles with police during march in Athens

Police said that roughly 1,000 protestors had gathered in the Monastiraki district at around noon to express support for those arrested and demand that they be released. They then set off down Athinas Road and Evripidou Road toward Stadiou Street to end up at Syntagma Square.

As they were dispersing down Panepistimiou Street, some of them attacked police with stones and other objects and police responded with the use of tear gas to drive them away. Shortly afterwards there was a second clash with police at the gates of the university, where tear gas was again used to disperse protestors.

Groups of youths set fire to rubbish bins, while large groups were seen heading toward Exarhia and the Athens Polytechnic.

Similar incidents were reported at a march in Patras with the same demands, where protestors attacked the premises of local newspapers and bank branches.

[03] Athens Newspaper Headlines

The ongoing protests by farmers and their rejection of the government aid package, the economic crisis and new tax incentives proposed by the government for private investment, as well as rumours of early elections, dominated the headlines in Athens' newspapers.

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Fast-track procedures to get the 500 million to farmers".

APOGEVMATINI: "Freeze on Tsoukatos' bank accounts".

AVGHI: "[Ruling New Democracy]-PASOK colleges for education, with the aim of reviving the policy of article 16".

AVRIANI: "Public prosecutor also freezes funds of [former premier Costas] Simitis' 'general'".

CHORA: "Burning agenda for education".

ELEFTHEROS: "[Defence Minister] Meimarakis indirectly reveals [PM] Karamanlis' plans. Don't listen, he's searching for an election date".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "The country in two. Farmers take things to extremes".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Brussels demands 'shock-treatment' formula. Cut 20 percent of spending so that you can borrow".

ESTIA: "Complete dissolution of the laws". [Article criticising government policy]

ETHNOS: "The rock and the hard place for the government. Double 'blockade' by tractors and... opinion polls".

KATHIMERINI: "Benefits without a plan or result".

LOGOS: "Government and farmers adamant".

NIKI: "They are pruning the farmers. Orders by Karamanlis to break blockades".

RIZOSPASTIS: "We are fighting the policies of the government - PASOK - EU for education".

TO VIMA: "Secrets measurements by Maximos Mansion [PM's offices]. Karamanlis, intention to vote, benefits"

VRADYNI: "Consensus sought for new lyceum, exam system, asylum".

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article