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The appeal of the Prime Minister George Papandreou the people to support the socialist government in the upcoming November municipal elections shot the spread of ten-year Greek government bonds up again. The levels of the international markets spreads were at around 600 points on Monday evening, but a day later they exceeded 730 points. Analysts say the main reason lies in the uncertainty the Greek Prime Minister impressed on the audience during a TV press conference on the upcoming mayoral election. Asked by a journalist, the Prime Minister did not rule out the possibility of extraordinary parliamentary elections if his party fails in local elections.
"I have no reason and intention to demand elections, but if the situation gets difficult for the government to proceed with the changes, then the Greek people will have to decide," said the Prime Minister making Greece and foreign countries anxious. George Papandreou said in his speech that all sacrifices of the Greek people will be lost in vain if the policy in the Memorandum with the International Monetary Fund, the European Commission and the European Central Bank is not implemented. He stressed that early election will most likely prove disastrous for Greece and the situation in the country could get worse than it was in the beginning of the year before enforcing the Memorandum of financial support.
Opposition parties have taken these words for political blackmail. The President of New Democracy Antonis Samaras said Papandreou is confident in his defeat and is blackmailing voters to not lose the local elections. He strongly condemned the policy of the Prime Minister and said that local elections will confirm his words. According to Samaras, the alternative of the policy of George Papandreou is only the policy of New Democracy to economic development and prosperity. However, he did not clearly outlined how this would be achieved.
The Former Prime Minister Konstantinos Mitsotakis, however, defeated Samaras openly stating that he is not an option for Greece. The Honorary President of New Democracy said that despite the many mistakes the policy of Papandreou has the right direction. Mitsotakis said for Sky TV that his political successor is following a wrong counter-attacking policy that is obsolete in the 21st century reality. “His statement that he will eliminate the budget deficit for 18 months and will save the country without applying stringent measures is not real. Mr. Samaras is no alternative for the country,” cut short Konstantinos Mitsotakis. The former leader of the blues said George Papandreou should be careful about his political decisions in order not to make mistake as Costas Karamanlis and to undertake early parliamentary elections without a fight.