Athens News Agency: News in English, 10-11-08

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Attention turns to second round of local gov't elections next Sunday

[02] FinMin in London

[03] 'PASOK deeply wounded'

[04] ASE opening: Big rise

[01] Attention turns to second round of local gov't elections next Sunday

As at 8:00 a.m. Monday, the only Region that had elected a regional authority leader in the first round of elections yesterday (Sunday) is that of the Southern Aegean, with the ruling PASOK-backed candidate Ioannis Mahairidis amassing 50.72 percent against main opposition New Democracy (ND) backed candidate Haralambos Kokkinos with 31.15 percent.

According to early results on Monday morning, PASOK appeared to remain the top political power, while ND has limited its percentage difference with PASOK and the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) has improved its showing.ANA-MPA

In the remaining 12 Regions, PASOK-backed candidates or candidates backed by a collaboration between PASOK and other parties were leading in six Regions, including Attica (wider Athens area), where Yiannis Sgouros will face if off in the second round with ND-backed Vassilis Kikilias. Candidates backed by ND and/or other parties were leading in the other six Regions.

The big winner of the election, however, was abstention, which stood above 40 percent average.

Winners also did not emerge in many of the country's major cities and the result will be decided in next Sunday's repeat election, with ND-backed incumbent mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis leading in Athens with 35.03 percent against PASOK-backed George Kaminis with 28.54 percent; PASOK-backed Yiannis Michas leading with 30.46 percent over ND-backed Vassilis Michaloliakos with 23.02 percent in Piraeus, and ND-backed Costas Gioulekas with 38.67 percent leading over PASOK-backed Ioannis Boutaris with 32.95 percent in Thessaloniki.

More details on the subscriber's page of APE-MPE | Subscription request form

[02] FinMin in London

The Union of Greek Bankers in Britain will host a lunch for Papaconstantinou.ANA-MPA

Moreover, the Greek Minister is scheduled to give interviews to BBC, CNN, SKY and AL JAZEERA international television stations.

More details on the subscriber's page of APE-MPE | Subscription request form

[03] 'PASOK deeply wounded'

Karatzaferis further opined that his own party had maintained its strength or increased its showing in certain Regions, and indirectly called on ND for collaboration with LAOS in the immediate future.ANA-MPA/

He said that wherever LAOS had collaborated with ND in Sunday's election, the jointly-backed candidates had come out in first place.

Now it was time to look even beyond the second round of local government elections this coming Sunday, and reiterated his call for an ecumenical government.

More details on the subscriber's page of APE-MPE | Subscription request form

[04] ASE opening: Big rise

Individual sector indices were moving upwards, with the biggest gains in Health, up 5.23 percent; and Banks, up 4.47 percent.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks was up 3.02 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index was up 2.26 percent, and the FTSE/ASE-80 small cap index was up 1.69 percent.

Of the stocks traded, 64 were up, 7 were down, and 9were unchanged.

More details on the subscriber's page of APE-MPE | Subscription request form

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