"Scenarios about elections or a coalition government are criminal"

Speaking at the cabinet meeting, Prime Minister George Papandreou tried once more to put an end to what has been said recently about rapid political developments, with early elections and coalition governments in the foreground. Speaking obviously to the ministers who have raised such issues in their interviews, he stressed that "it would be criminal to get into a non-existent speculation either on elections or coalition governments." Obviously irritated by the debate that has emerged, he stressed that necessary consent is one thing, as happened recently with the issue of Education, and these scenarios quite another.

"These convergences are indispensable, but the scenarios must end. Because they come back constantly and create a climate that becomes a problem to our work for no reason. We must move forward with seeking convergences, and hopefully they will come with the work that we do, achieving the reciprocation of others as well. Our goal is a creative and productive Greece, standing on its own legs, without borrowed strength".

Papandreou stressed the problem of institutions in our country and mainly attacking the parties of the Left, he noted that "it is also an issue of political culture, of credibility and the functioning of institutions. It is a phenomenon which, unfortunately, over time works as a solvent for lawfulness and the sense of law, and creates the impression in the people that the laws do not automatically apply, or do not apply in general, or they are implemented in a biased manner or apply for one person and not another".

He commented with great satisfaction on the developments in the banking sector, which he said were important, and highlighting the agreement on the merger of Alpha-Eurobank, he said that "it constitutes a vote of confidence in the Greek economy". He added that "with the changes made in the banking sector we will have a very clear picture in the coming months, but also very solid foundations for our banking system, which could ensure better conditions for liquidity in the real economy".

According to information from the cabinet, the government plans to carry out the first referendum by the end of the year. The bill provides that for referendums on national issues there must be a participation percentage to ensure their validity. In the new setting for referendums on voted bills or social issues there will be a binding participation rate of 50% of the population in order for the referendum to be valid. The proposal for a referendum could arise with a majority of 2/5 of MPs, but the decision must be approved by 3/5.