Greek government not backing out on the protest front

The Greek government appears adamant on the front it has created with workers in public transport. Following the decision of the court that declares the strike on buses and trolleys illegal, the government seems committed to extending the measure of conscription to them as well in order to force the workers to stop their protests.
It considers that a demonstration of determination is necessary to discourage other industries considering starting their own protests. Farmers are warming up their tractor engines, while the union of PPC workers is also considering a strike.

The government line remains the same as a leading member of staff said: "it discusses only demands that are not negating the commitments it has undertaken and voted for in terms of the Troika, and will not discuss claims that will have consequences on the financial plan."

Those more skeptical say that the measure of conscription is not the best when dealing with strikes. So far the Greek government considers itself a winner of the political confrontation with the strikers and the parties that support them. It believes that society is positive about its "determination to stop the inconvenience of the passengers."

The government wants to eliminate the strike front as soon as possible, since the unrest affects the economy, creates the impression that the government does not monitor the developments within the country and discourages potential investors, while the government and the prime minister have set that as their top priority.

For this purpose, Antonis Samaras will be in Qatar on 29 and 30 January and will meet with the Emir as well the prime minister to discuss the areas that will receive the available funds.

At 19:00 tomorrow afternoon he will meet the premier of Qatar and then sign a cultural agreement.

On Wednesday at 11:00, the prime minister will meet with the Emir of Qatar. Subsequently, BSE and the Chamber of Qatar will sign a cooperation agreement, followed by a lunch hosted by Arab businessmen. Samaras will depart from Qatar on Wednesday night.