Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 14-12-30

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] SYRIZA's Tsipras: Greek people alone to decide who will rule

[02] There will be no majority in Parliament after snap elections, Venizelos says

[03] 40 passengers of "Norman Atlantic" still missing

[01] SYRIZA's Tsipras: Greek people alone to decide who will rule

Speaking about the election expected to be held January 25, Tsipras said the decision of who will rule "belongs to the Greek people alone" and expressed the question of whether the Greek people, "whom they frightened and misled in 2012" will again choose the same government leading the country to social tragedy and national humiliation or give a chance to hope and to great change.

"Will they choose the path of directives, or the path of democracy?" he asked. "The path of memorandums, or the path of social salvation? That is the dilemma for January 25.... It will be the beginning of the end of a regime that sank Greece into poverty, unemployment, unhappiness and despair. The end of those who shamelessly and thoughtlessly served a policy of destruction," Tsipras said.

The SYRIZA leader said that his party's government would guarantee people's bank deposits in Greek banks, in collaboration with the European Central Bank and the EU.

Addressing himself to Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, Tsipras demanded that supervisory personnel to be agreed upon by all parties be placed temporarily at the ministries of interior, justice, public order, and the general secretariat of information "in order to guarantee that Greece will go to elections without antidemocratic maneuvres and irregularities."

The main opposition leader also warned the government of "not even thinking of removing as they leave any public document, especially the correspondence with the troika" of Greece's lenders, because, he asserted, "this country is a democracy and in a democracy transparency is first to speak, like it or not."

At the beginning of his speech, Tsipras also expressed condolences to the casualties of the "Norman Atlantic" ferry disaster and congratulated the rescue operation staff.

[02] There will be no majority in Parliament after snap elections, Venizelos says

"It is obvious there will not be a majority of seats," Venizelos said, but this should not lead to a second round of elections, as the country needs a government.

The minister also said he was "surprised" and "stunned" by the Democratic Left (DIMAR) leader's stance, noting that the party made a mistake leaving the government coalition.

[03] 40 passengers of "Norman Atlantic" still missing

Shipowner Carlo Visentini and captain Argilio Giacomazzi are facing charges of multiple manslaughter, causing a shipwreck through negligence and causing of injuries through negligence.

The �Europa Cruise� with 15 passengers of the "Norman Atlantic", arrived earlier on Tuesday at Patras port.

In statements to the press, the passengers described their difficult times on board from the moment the fire broke out until they were received by rescue teams.

Doctors and other medical personnel were waiting at the port to offer their services to those in need, while authorities had provided for their transfer and accommodation.

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