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The coalition government received a vote of confidence

09 July 2012 / 13:07:36  GRReporter
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Two weeks after the 17 June election, the new Greek cabinet received a vote of confidence from parliament. 179 deputies of New Democracy, PASOK and the Democratic Left supported the cabinet. The other 121 deputies, i.e. the representatives of SYRIZA, Independent Greeks, Golden Dawn and the Communist Party, opposed it.

The main line of the parties composing the unprecedented coalition government of Greece was that "this is the last chance for the country." The opposition did focus its accusations on the discrepancy of government rhetoric before and after the elections.
 
During his speech before the open vote, which began shortly after midnight, Prime Minister Antonis Samaras had subjected to sharp criticism the leader of the radical left Alexis Tsipras. "This party scares potential investors in Greece and the only thing it wants is for the country to collapse in order to take power then." The Prime Minister accused SYRIZA of being a bearer of the old, which has led Greece to its present state and of acting in favour of "the lobby of the drachma."

"All parties made serious mistakes in the past that have led us to today's situation. Nobody is blameless and no one can shake a finger at the others."

In practice, the Prime Minister used his entire speech to respond to Alexis Tsipras’ words. SYRIZA’s leader warned even on Saturday, "Everyone who will not protect public interests in the process of privatization will be responsible to the Greek people" and "will have to take responsibility for the rout."

"Anyone, who is trying to take advantage of the present state of the country to infringe on public property, will lose their money," he said and pointed out that the privatization programme announced by the government "is not a plan of salvation, but a political and financial crime."

His phrase, "SYRIZA will be right beside the citizens at every moment and will not make any step back inside and mostly outside the parliament," made Antonis Samaras angry and he asked rhetorically, "What do you mean by saying outside the parliament? Is it that maybe Athens will burn again?"

The Prime Minister reacted strongly to Alexis Tsipras’s words that the government was ready to sell off the public property and those responsible for this would be sued. "Do not try to scare the others with threats of being sent to prison. If you want to send someone there, do it to me. I am ready and waiting."

He stated that the only way for Greece not to leave the euro area was to stimulate development and investment and urged parliament to give a vote of confidence and confirm the will and vote of the voters.

Indicative of the fierce debate was the speech of the leader of Independent Greeks Panos Kamenos, who said that New Democracy and PASOK have reached agreements "that we will not apply," referring to the Greek state contract with the company of Siemens. "This contract does not exist and the person who signs it will find himself on the bench of the accused, after we have filed a complaint in court," he said aloud.

The leader of Independent Greeks accused the participants in the government coalition of attracting voters with the pre-election promise of renegotiating the Memorandum. "Therefore, the people voted for parties that will deliver the country to foreigners." According to him, "the continuation of this policy will lead to a civil war and national division."

Among the interesting moments was the mutual contempt expressed between left parties and Golden Dawn. When the far-right leader took the floor, left deputies left the plenary hall. Accordingly, Golden Dawn deputies left their seats when Alexis Tsipras started his speech.

Tags: PoliticsGovernment coalitionVote of confidenceParliamentDebates
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