“At last a little self criticism, not just measures…”

oday’s marathon cabinet meeting ended in tension and complaints about inactivity. The ministers ascertained the prevalence of governmental inactivity to Giorgos Papandreou, as they called for the acceleration of the government’s work.

Sometime toward the end of the meeting, there was a clash between Venizelos and Papakonstantinou, triggered by the Defense minister’s statement that "we are under financial occupation".

Papakonstantinou reacted strongly to the comment, saying he could not accept it, forcing Venizelos to explain in detail and admit he had been talking about the overall situation.

However, the Defense minister told the Finance minister that the latter never accepts anything of what he proposes, and accused the whole ministry and its officials of arrogance. He brought back his old proposal about taxation and enhancement of construction.

The Finance minister was also the target of an attack by Infrastructure minister Michalis Reppas and Education minister Anna Diamantopoulou, who asked him to embark on some self-criticism at last.

Reppas also asked for an inner and outer common language and permanent changes, while Defence deputy minister Beglitis argued against a "government of technocrats".

On her part, Louka Katseli asked for "more dynamic action", while Mihalis Chryssochoidis asked for measures to enhance liquidity.