Samaras to MPs: An upward path lies ahead of us

Prime Minister Antonis Samaras tried to instill optimism in the MPs yesterday, Thursday, at meetings in a well-known taverna near his home in Kifissia.

"We're at the bottom of the curve. There is upward and positive path ahead of us," the PM told the second group of parliamentarians. He tried to boost their morale referring in detail to the policy exercised by the government since last June, saying that "we have already achieved a lot, have done things that a few years ago seemed impossible, Greece is changing rapidly and the results will be visible soon."

He tried to provide arguments to the MPs in order for them to propagate in turn the government line in their constituencies. He reiterated that 2013 will be a difficult year, but asserted that the future will be better for the country and its citizens.

To the comments of MPs that they are faced with citizens who have suffered reductions in wages and pensions, have no work, and have difficulties paying their medication, Samaras said that such was the state he received that he had no other option, than to restore the country’s credibility first and remove the threat of exiting the euro in order to pave the way for Greece’s recovery.

Samaras also referred to the recent results of the Italian elections, hoping that the pressure exerted by the European regions will work to loosen the austerity policy.

He added that Greece has guarantees due to the agreement it has reached and that it must capitalize on any positive developments on a European level from a better position. However, he clarified that there is no room for fiscal loosening although the government will do everything it can to enforce growth while alleviating the weakest social groups.