Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 00-04-16

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From: The Macedonian Press Agency at http://www.mpa.gr and http://www.hri.org/MPA.

CONTENTS

[01] POLL EXPLORES UNCOMMON VOTING FACTORS

[02] MILLIONS OF LOCUST LARVAE THREATEN CROP RUIN

[03] PRESIDENT INAUGURATES PARLIAMENT ON THURSDAY

[04] PREMIER TO PRESENT STATE POLICY THIS WEEK

[05] FORMER ISRAEL PM ARRIVES IN ATHENS TOMORROW

[01] POLL EXPLORES UNCOMMON VOTING FACTORS

The ruling PASOK party fared better with young voters, women, the wealthy and share-holders, although but the conservative New Democracy party was chosen by those who feel wronged by society, according to the results of a wide-sample exit poll conducted last Sunday by the Athens daily "Ta Nea".

Compiled by the V. Project Research Consulting institute, the poll explored a range of factors often left out of political public opinion polls, including respondents' use of new technology and even church-going habits.

For example, 51.1 percent of respondents who believed they were wronged by society were New Democracy supporters, as compared with the 30.2 percent who backed PASOK.

Also, church-goers were clearly more likely to vote for the conservatives, 57.9 percent, than for the socialists, 35.1 percent.

A.F.

[02] MILLIONS OF LOCUST LARVAE THREATEN CROP RUIN

Millions of locusts larvae have been discovered in the prefecture of Larissa, central Greece, where authorities are to begin tomorrow ridding the area of the insects so as to avert massive destruction to crops.

The local authorities have declared the region in condition of imminent natural disaster and have requested an emergency fund of three million drachmas to spray the area in the north and northeast part of the prefecture.

A.F.

[03] PRESIDENT INAUGURATES PARLIAMENT ON THURSDAY

The President of the Hellenic Republic Costis Stephanopoulos is to inaugurate the sessions of the new Parliament resulting from last Sundays' general election on Thursday, April 20, while the House will

elect a new presidium on Friday.

The ruling PASOK party has proposed the re-election of incumbent Apostolos Kaklamanis as President of the House.

Prime Minister Costas Simitis will read the new government's policy statement on Saturday, April 22, which is to be followed by a two-day debate.

The first vote of confidence in the government will be held in the evening of Monday, April 24.

A.F.

[04] PREMIER TO PRESENT STATE POLICY THIS WEEK

Prime Minister-elect Costas Simitis is to continue contacts with ministers this week, ahead of his newly sworn-in government's policy statement in Parliament on Saturday.

New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis met with former culture minister Dora Bakoyianni for an exchange of views on party structure, the result of April 9's election and the policy stands which the main opposition is to adopt in the immediate future.

A.F.

[05] FORMER ISRAEL PM ARRIVES IN ATHENS TOMORROW

Former Israeli Premier and current Minister for Regional Cooperation Shimon Peres will visit Athens during April 17-19 to participate in a roundtable discussion on "Reconstruction, Development and Security in Southeastern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean."

Mr. Peres will be one of the keynote speakers at the conference, organized by The Economist magazine. He will meet President Costis Stephanopoulos, Foreign Minister George Papandreou and other officials.

A.F.

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