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We will have no tolerance for lawlessness and violence that threaten democracy; we must break the vicious circle of tension that leads to violence, Prime Minister Antonis Samaras said at the meeting of the Political Committee of New Democracy.

"The Neo-Nazi phenomenon is paradoxical for our country, and deadly," Samaras said, adding that neo-Nazis are dangerous to democracy because they create assault groups and use violence. "We oppose them as they deserve - as criminals... The presence of neo-Nazis exposes the country at a time when we can regain its place in Europe on our way out of the crisis. We have to finish with them and show zero tolerance to them, as well as to eradicate the reason why they appear - and that is exactly what we are doing. After the crime in Keratsini, the state acted quickly and Justice pressed charges against MPs - something that has not happened so far in any European country. We have shown that there is political will and this is a step forward. The Republic fights against its enemies and defeats them, but it should not be like them. The Republic protects the rights of its enemies. If the charge is recognized, there will be consequences and those who have funded them will be revealed," said Samaras.

The Prime Minister talked about violence, noting that not only Golden Dawn has been breaking the law, but others, too. According to him, there has been violence not only in Perama, but also in the arson of Marfin Bank. It is everybody’s duty to condemn any form of violence, and not to testify in support of murderers. There is no good and bad violence, Samaras said, adding that Justice will deal with the events of Marfin and the gold mines in Skouries. "A democratic party cannot divide violence into good and bad, and all parties must support the rule of law, without footnotes and additional conditions," said Samaras, adding that the theory of good and bad violence fuels violence and extremism.

Unemployment is decreasing and GDP is showing an increase, albeit small, the Premier pointed out, adding that there will be a primary budget surplus. According to him, everybody will soon feel the improvement. "We control debt and we have cut it – by more than 125 billion euro directly and 20 billion euro indirectly, and it is now being discussed whether to reduce the other 11 billion euro. Our partners have committed to helping us. Yesterday, the word of new measures spread, despite the fact that we have said many times that there will be no new measures – something that was said by the head of the IMF, while the European Commission said that it will not impose new taxes. This is due to the achievement of our goals. Some people do not like this," said Samaras.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the government has a four-year vision and people will judge in the end, and not now, when they start to come out of the crisis. He added that after his visits to the United States and Israel, it can be said that investors are increasingly relying on Greece.

Samaras also talked about internal changes in New Democracy. "The party is making bold steps: we are reforming the party into a big political organization following the European example," he said.

In conclusion, Samaras said that everything necessary was being done in order to take Greece out of the crisis. "We have nothing to apologize for to anyone. People will not judge us according to our enemies’ criteria," the Prime Minister added.

SYRIZA: Samaras appears as the leader of political disunity

SYRIZA reacted quickly to what Samaras said." Samaras appeared again as the leader of political disunity and the theory of two extremes, from which he is receding in order to enjoy political isolation even within his own party," thus emphasized the press the message of the party. "In a rare moment of self-criticism, the Prime Minister acknowledged in his speech the lack of political will to deal with the recent Nazi violence. The admission of guilt that the government has not only acted as was required, but to the contrary – has flirted with the idea that Golden Dawn will back it up, shows its heavy political responsibilities," added SYRIZA.

"Therefore, despite today's assurances that "the reasons for the spread of the fascist phenomenon will be eliminated, they actually do not touch the core of the applied policy of the memorandum – the poverty policy," emphasized the statement of the press service of the largest opposition party.

SYRIZA is wondering who exactly covered the explosion at Marfin Bank. "Why are there still no arrests and suspects? Who triggered the violence and tension? How long will you continue throwing mud on public struggles of the Left party, creating a climate of tension, resembling a civil war?" asked SYRIZA in conclusion.

The Communist Party: the Prime Minister requires "obedience to the anti-popular policy"