Main opposition New Democracy (ND) party spokesman Yiannis Michelakis on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the government, accusing it of intending to proceed with the implementation of new austerity measures in the immediate future.
Speaking at a
press briefing, Michelakis stressed that an extension of the repayment period for the country's debt will have to take place under specific preconditions, such as an interest rate reduction, adoption of specific measures that lead to growth and establishment of the Eurobond.He underlined that "any decision should not be accompanied by new measures because neither the economy nor the society can withstand them".
The ND party spokesman also stated that market liquidity will be among the issues up for discussion in the meeting ND party leader Antonis Samaras and European Central Bank (ECB) President Jean-Claude Trichet will have in Frankfurt on Feb. 9.
Referring to the German proposal for a constitutional revision focusing on deficit, Michelakis stressed that it will be considered by ND if it is adopted by all EU countries.
"The fiscal problem is not only our own. It is a European problem and any decision should be made after a comprehensive discussion," he stressed.
The ND spokesman repeated the party's position that the "university asylum" should be abolished, stressing that "the freedom to express new ideas simply cannot be the prerogative of 10 (university) buildings in Athens and Thessaloniki."
Asked about a group of illegal migrants currently staying in a downtown Athens building who are continuing a hunger strike as part of demands for legalisation, he stressed that the law should be enforced, pointing out that each case should be examined separately.
