The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 09-05-19

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From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Parties on the Go Ahead of EU Elections

ND Central Committee secretary Lefteris Zagoritis, on his part, commented, "The choice is simple, between responsibility and populism, and the people are well aware of what they should go for."

Ahead of the European Parliament elections, the government is giving priority over everyday matters, without, however, ignoring EU affairs. The official launch of the ND's campaign is just a matter of days. PASOK (Panhellenic Socialist Movement), on the other hand, has associated the elections for the European Parliament with a referendum.

The government's work will not be suspended due to the European Parliament elections, ministers have kept saying, while their Socialist rivals have estimated that a possible win will pave the way for general elections.

The PASOK press spokesman voiced his satisfaction for the warm welcome the party's euro-ballot received, underlining that the key differences between the Conservatives and the Socialist on what kind of Europe they are after have started manifesting.

With the European Parliament being less than 20 days away, the political leaders are on the go, with a view to unveil their positions and earn their voters' trust.

Socialist leader George Papandreou, who visited Tuesday the General Secretariat for Information Systems, spoke of an unfair tax system and pledged to replace it with a fairer tax policy.

SYN (Coalition of the Radical Left) President Alexis Tsipras said that the 7 June elections should send a resounding message, saying "enough is enough" to a policy that gives everything to the few and strong.

KKE (Greek Communist Party) head Aleka Papariga, who visited the rehabilitation centre for people with physical disability, stressed that the KKE is taking place in the elections with crystal clear conscience. She also blasted the PASOK leadership and LAOS (Popular Orthodox Rally) head Giorgos Karatzaferis for launching a campaign against KKE and challenged them to present evidence against the Greek Communist Party.

Source: NET, NET 105.8, ANA/MPA

News item: 22538

[02] KKE: �We Won't Play Games with the People's Vote�

"The parties that ruled, or the parties that applauded the EU, including SYN (Coalition of the Radical Left), LAOS (Popular Orthodox Rally) and the Greens, should be punished," stressed in her speech she delivered on Tuesday at the rehabilitation centre.

The KKE head assured the rehabilitation centre's employees that her party speaks the truth and "it is not going to play games with the votes of the employees." She also spoke of a "slanderous attack" on KKE, something that always happens when elections are approaching, "because it is KKE's power that will intimidate them and they know damn well that they cannot manipulate KKE."

News item: 22539

[03] Combating Tax Evasion

Ahead of summertime, the Finance Ministry is embarking on a campaign to eliminate tax evasion and increase state revenues. Restaurants, taverns, bar and car services will be targeted by the relevant agencies. At the same time, sweeping changes are expected within the Body for the Prosecution of Economic Crime, with a view to trimming corruption cases.

Dropping hints at the opposition parties and calling for consensus, so that Greece can manage to deal with the crisis suffering the least possible losses, Finance Minister Giannis Papathanasiou appeared steadfast on the path of bold reforms.

"We should turn our back to the irresponsible voices. To those who speak of disaster just to serve their own interests at the expense of the greater good. Now it is the time to join our forces to eliminate the repercussions of the crisis and prep ourselves in the best possible manner for a new era of development," stressed the Finance Minister.

With all eyes fixed in June, when the Greek economy is expected to be assessed, the Finance Ministry is on standby, as it has to increase revenues through inspections on businesses and freelancers.

"We are not going to back down. Our goal is to go after the sharks of tax evasion and stamp out the most modern form of social injustice, namely tax evasion."

The first figures released by the Statistical Service have suggested that growth will keep being on good truck, as long as the tourism industry yields satisfactory results.

According to the figures released, the deficit in 2009 will stand at 3.7% and the public debt at 99.6% of GDP. The European Commission spring report said the deficit will soar to 5.1% in 2009 and to 5.7% in 2010.

Former Finance Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis stressed that Greece should be given more time to trim the deficit below 3%.

Source: NET, N�� 105.8, ANA/MPA

News item: 22534

[04] Family Tragedy in Kallithea

Landing on the terrace of a nearby 3-storey building, the father and his youngest son died on the spot. The 3yo boy was heavily injured and hurried to the hospital.

Police sources said the man had left a note listing the reasons that made him act like that.

Source: ��� 105.8, ANA/MPA

News item: 22532

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