The voting will either enable the coalition government of the prime minister to remain in power or lead to a snap general election and new political and financial upheaval.
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| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT rss.nytimes.com |
How the world sees Greece
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Greek Parliament’s Vote for President Moves to Decisive Round for Coalition
Deputy prosecutor sees no case in bribery allegations
The deputy prosecutor responsible for investigating allegations by Independent Greeks MP Pavlos Haikalis that he was offered a bribe in order to back the government's presidential candidate has concluded that there is no basis for criminal prosecution. In... ...
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| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.ekathimerini.com |
Two Greek Projects Left Without European Funding
The European Commission has officially rejected two projects regarding Athens’ regeneration. According to the documents that were submitted to the Greek Parliament by the Infrastructure Ministry, the Operational Infrastructure, Transport, Environment and Sustainable Development Program for the period 2014-2020 was presented on November 28 without the pedestrianization of Panepistimiou Street in central Athens and the Faliro Bay redevelopment. In fact, the ministry document stated that the new operational program “does not include the redevelopment of Panepistimiou Street and Faliro Bay, after Greek authorities spoke with the European Commission representatives, who expressed their reservations regarding the projects mentioned above.” On November 23, there were several rumors, according to which the European Commission had rejected these projects, because they were deemed unnecessary. The European Commission sent an ultimatum to the Greek government, demanding the exclusion of the two projects from the new NSRF. The Commission claimed that “decorative projects” should not be funded during a period when resources are limited and the completion of the country’s trans-European networks, as well as other higher priority projects are still pending. However, the document submitted by the Infrastructure Ministry to the Greek Parliament stressed that the Athens regeneration projects would not be forgotten. Greek authorities are planning on arranging a consultation with the European Commission in order to highlight the projects’ viability and development value in regards to tourism, but also for the environmental improvement of life in the Greek capital.
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| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT greece.greekreporter.com |
Stakes rise for Greece as risky election looms
Greece is digging itself into a hole again. The Greek parliament failed to elect a new president Tuesday, bringing closer the possibility of snap national elections that could hand power to a popular anti-austerity ...
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| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT finance.yahoo.com |
Statements of Party Leaders After 2nd Round of Greece ’s Presidential Election
Each deputy will be faced with the Greek people’s anxiety in the third round of the election for a President of the Republic, Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras said after the end of the second round. Samaras also called on all deputies to consider their responsibilities and not lead the country to a national adventure. Main opposition SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras, said “Neither the parliament nor the people will offer to Mr. Samaras a blank cheque to continue the memorandum and to implement the prior actions of the austerity that cut the pensions, increase the price of the medicine and loot the society. The country will turn the page in the New Year. We will succeed with democracy, a strong mandate for real negotiation and optimism.” “The Greek people should be certain that hope returns. With Christmas and the country’s liberation from the policies imposed by the foreign conquerors. They have nothing to be afraid of. The smile will return,” Independent Greeks (ANEL) leader Panos Kammenos said after the end of the second round of the presidential elections. “ANEL party is standing and will continue to stand on its feet,” he stated. He also clarified that there will be no leak from the Independent Greeks in the third round of Greece ‘s Presidential elections. He added that Independent Greeks deputy Maria Kollia-Tsaroucha was absent from the voting because of health reasons, clarifying that she remains adamant on her position not to vote for President. Democratic Left (DIMAR) deputies’ refusal to vote for the government proposal on the presidential election translates into their refusal to contribute to the continuation of the current policies, DIMAR leader Fotis Kouvelis said in a statement. “The place and the society need to turn the page. Political change is necessary,” Kouvelis added. Kouvelis also confirmed discussions with SYRIZA saying “I replied to Alexis Tsipras’ phone call,” adding: “We have asked for a policy framework agreement and an extended conference to discuss all issues of progressive governance.”
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| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT greece.greekreporter.com |
Greek Exportable Products Popular Abroad
Exports have played a key role in Greece’s economic recovery. During the recession, exports were necessary so that Greek companies could expand beyond the country’s borders. According to the official statistical data, Greek exports have shown a slight decrease in 2014, mainly due to the economic and political developments in neighboring countries and trading partners, however, the country’s progress in the field has been significant. Around 65% of Greek exportable products end up in EU countries, during a period of weak economic growth, where Russia imposed an embargo on European imports and countries who were traditionally linked with Greece in regards to trade, such as Balkan countries, North Africa and the Middle East are being ravaged by the recession and political crises. The Exporters’ Association of Northern Greece (SEVE) released official data about Greek exports, after Eurostat’s research on the trade of goods within the Eurozone for the first nine months of 2014. According to the official numbers, the Eurozone’s goods exports rose by 1.3% compared to last year, reaching a total of 2.6 trillion euros, while Greek exports dropped by 4.4%. In 2014, Greece placed 13th in the Eurozone exports ranking and presented the third largest trade deficit (15.7 billion euros), following France and Spain. According to data released by the Panhellenic Exporters Association there were several new inputs in the country’s most exportable products list: data-processing machines (12th place), unmilled durum wheat (59th place), gas and liquid meters (70th place) sanitary paper products (73th place), copper and aluminum rods (74th place), fishing nets (83rd place), agriculture and gardening sprayers (89th place), smoked fish (93rd place), rough fabrics (98th place), iron, steel, copper or aluminum sanitary ware (99th place). Turkey still ranks first in terms of Greek exportable products destinations, followed by Italy, Germany, Bulgaria and Cyprus. Egypt rose in sixth place, while ships supply placed 7th in Third Countries. Gibraltar ranked in eighth place, followed by the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
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| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT greece.greekreporter.com |
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