Samaras’ intentions on DEPA - DESFA privatization

Today Antonis Samaras will be in Brussels for an informal summit on energy efficiency in Europe and the joint tackle of tax evasion by the systematization of information exchange for the assets of citizens in the European member-states.
 

The summit  for energy comes after Samaras’ meeting with Gazprom strong man Alexei Miller, as the tender for the privatization of DEPA and DESFA is still in progress. Reportedly, the contacts with the Russians are going well. There is disagreement about the amount and terms of the letter of guarantee requested by the Greek government on EU instructions, while the Russians raise the issue of debts by private individuals and the Greek state to the company. The Greek government, however, is optimistic that they are close to an agreement that will appear in the offer to be filed by the Russian company until the closing date on May 29.

 
But there is also the geostrategic dimension as Americans disagree with the assignment of the DEPA to the Russians. The government is trying to maneuver, giving DESFA to the company of Azerbaijani interests and thus overcome objections by the Americans and Europeans. A Greek government member said that similar solutions were given in other European countries such as Germany, where the quantities of natural gas are much larger.
 
All the opposition parties are against the privatization of DEPA and DESFA.


Frictions due to antiracist bill

 
The antiracist law filed by minister Antonis Roupakiotis in parliament creates intergovernmental problems. PASOK and the Democratic Left support it as it stands and SYRIZA agrees with it but it stumbles upon strong reactions by ND, Golden Dawn and KKE. It was submitted to the General Secretariat of the Greek government ten days ago and was returned to the ministry of Justice with observations, which it dismissed filing it once again. Members of ND and Maximos Mansion disagree with the bill and the arrangements for dealing with the racist action of Golden Dawn.

 The ND's argument is that the very harsh provisions may result in the opposite effect and reinforce Golden Dawn. The counterargument is that ND winks to the voters of Golden Dawn which is considered as a "sister party" by several 'blue' MPs. Maximos Mansion leaked that the bill will not pass as is, some ND members say they will not vote for it if there are no changes, while minister Roupakiotis, PASOK and Democratic Left persist.