Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-06-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] EU Commissioner Avramopoulos stresses need for Constitution review

[02] FM Kotzias: Some try to undermine the Greek-Albanian dialogue

[03] Interior Min Kouroumblis stresses to ANA-MPA the need for radical review of the Constitution

[04] Majority of Greeks against early elections - Kappa Research

[05] Deputy Sports Min Kontonis expresses concern over security in Greek football

[06] The government cannot avoid the elections, ND vice president Chatzidakis says

[07] KKE sec gen Koutsoumbas lashes out at government

[01] EU Commissioner Avramopoulos stresses need for Constitution review

Avramopoulos said he was in favour of the president being elected directly by the people, adding that he should have increased responsibilities due to the current critical circumstances.

More specifically, Avramopoulos reiterated the proposal submitted in 2011. "I remain more consistent than ever. The gravity of the circumstances requires a strong president; a president should be elected directly by the people, with increased powers," he said.

"The direct election of the president will give prestige to the institution and the institutional order in the country. The president must operate democratically and consistently for the benefit of the nation and when required in harmonious cooperation with the political parties, the society and the people," he added.

[02] FM Kotzias: Some try to undermine the Greek-Albanian dialogue

Kotzias attributed the new challenge of the Albanian nationalists to the attempt of certain forces in the neighboring country to undermine the dialogue between Greece and Albania and to prevent the creation of good climate in the bilateral relations.

He also noted the foreign ministry took immediate action and made clear that "we used all potential weapons of diplomacy."

"These Chams that speak about changing the borders are isolated in Albania," he stated. During his recent trip to Tirana, he said, the Albanian Foreign Minister reiterated four times that "Albania is faithful to the Helsinki agreement and recognizes the borders as stated in this agreement and that such demands are illegal."

[03] Interior Min Kouroumblis stresses to ANA-MPA the need for radical review of the Constitution

"One issue that should be discussed before the review process begins is how we will ensure the correct interpretation institutionally, therefore the constitutional court," Kouroumblis said.

He underlined that "the parties, the scientific institutions must start an open-minded dialogue in the society to mobilize the participatory mood of the people noting, among others, that such a participatory consultation "will increase the people's awareness on the principle that we should not grant to anyone the right to decide for me without me."

[04] Majority of Greeks against early elections - Kappa Research

More specifically, 52.5 pct of the participants said that more time should be given to the government to complete its work compared to 35.5 pct who said it is in favour of early elections.

Asked which party they would vote for if elections were held today, 20.8 pct said New Democracy, 17.3 pct said SYRIZA, 5.9 pct said Golden Dawn, 5.1 pct said the Communist Party, 5.0 pct said Democratic Coalition (PASOK-DIMAR), 3.1 pct said the Union of Centrists, 2.3 pct said ANEL, 2.0 pct said Potami, 1.2 pct said Popular Unity.

On the question of who they consider "most suitable for prime minister", participants gave Kyriakos Mitsotakis 29.1 pct and Alexis Tsipras 28.0 pct.

The poll was conducted after the conclusion of the programme review.

[05] Deputy Sports Min Kontonis expresses concern over security in Greek football

As he said, the situation in the Greek football is "explosive." He underlined that the government will consider all its options in order to protect the legal order and not mourn dead people.

[06] The government cannot avoid the elections, ND vice president Chatzidakis says

He underlined that New Democracy's demand for elections remains on the table and it stressed that it is not a move of tactics.

Chatzidakis argued that the government's programme is not viable adding that "we are in the eurozone without a euro." He also noted that a government with SYRIZA in the helm cannot give a solution because "the problem is in its DNA."

On the electoral law, he said that the government has specific interests adding that New Democracy is in favour of the approximate proportional representation.

[07] KKE sec gen Koutsoumbas lashes out at government

"The money comes along with the abolition of the rights of the working class," he said and added: "The choice of the Greeks to stay in the EU and the eurozone for the time being should not put an end to the discussion on the issue."

Koutsoumbas explained that "the harsh measures will remain and probably get harsher because they come along with the profits of the monopolies either the capitalist Greece is or isn't a member of the EU and the eurozone."

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