Modest is the first reaction of ND, following the initiative of PM Giorgos Papandreou, who called Antonis Samaras to a meeting.
Samaras responded positively to the request of the PM and the appointment was closed for Tuesday morning at 10, before his scheduled departure for Thessaloniki. The two leaders did not speak directly, and the meeting was arranged through their offices.
The positive response to the prime minister comes after the rejection of the motion of the Minister of Finance Giorgos Papaconstantinou, who requested a debate on the economy issues. First, the team at Sigrou Avenue says the meeting is for Papandreou to inform them on developments in the economy in view of the summit in March and add:
«We will go to see what he has to say». They add that at the moment for ND there is no consensus or support and that they remain on the known positions and criticism of the government so far to its political impasse. They state that they’re processing the updated program for the economy to be presented by the president of the party in late March that will provide answers to questions that have arisen.
Things don’t change…
ND circles, however, noted that the initiative of Prime Minister is "emptying" the Finance Minister, adding that this does not change things because economic policy is the responsibility of the government and not individuals. Partisan factors say that it is interesting if the government indicates that it intends to change the mix of economic policies and move to the positions expressed by the ND and puts development forth. The initiative by Papandreou found Samaras in Helsinki, where he’s now, to attend the Summit of the European People's Party.
On Friday, Samaras will meet the winner of elections in Ireland with which they coincide on the need to renegotiate their respective memorandum signed by their countries. Samaras has rejected the German proposal for constitutional recognition of the strict fiscal policy and has agreed on the need for zeroing the deficits.
The ND president is close to the proposal of European Commission President Barroso, which includes the development dimension. His staff, say "if we continue with the economic collapse, nothing will save us". Papandreou's proposal sparked scenarios of political developments, especially if there is no consensus. Already there is talk of «blame game» for the lack of consensus and the possibility of early elections, which in fact is now on the political agenda. But from ND however made clear that they do not intend to change the line that have followed so far, or succumb to any form of blackmail.
No from the Left to a consensus
It is clear that the two parties of the Left will not give consent. A clear 'no' to the consensus is expected by the general secretary of KKE Aleka Papariga. In a statement made on Thursday she said that "the Communist Party is fighting the government policy" and argued that "this policy is a given and will not be changed by dialogue".
President of Synaspismos Alexis Tsipras is expected to seek a referendum to approve the Competitiveness Pact proposed by Germany and will be discussed at the EU Summit. Tsipras will also ask the Prime Minister to carry out pre-agenda discussion on the economy before March 25, and will submit the proposals of the European Left party to overcome the economic crisis.
Positive towards the meeting is also the president of LAOS Giorgos Karatzaferis, who, although stresses the need for consultation to address the critical situation of the country, is reserved for the rest until he listens to the proposals of Papandreou.
by Spyros Gkoutzanis and Makis Pollatos
source: PROTO THEMA
