Party heads speak in Greek Parliament prior to vote of confidence

Party leaders took the floor of Greek Parliament following a three-day debate on government policies prior to a vote of confidence at dawn on Thursday.

Conservative New Democracy
Main opposition leader Vangelis Meimarakis said that his party would not give a vote of confidence to SYRIZA. “Go ahead and vote what you signed by yourself! We say no to stagnation and policies that affect private initiative! No to taxes! No to the vote of confidence in the government!” said Meimarakis.
He attacked the Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) PM Alexis Tsipras, who he accused of caring about his party more than the country. “Instead of becoming a national leader you turned into a party leader and led the country to elections,” he said, admitting that he hasn’t even read the 2016 draft bill submitted by Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos.
Meimarakis said the agreement signed between Greece and its international lenders removes the possibility for restructuring, contrary to what the government’s public statements. The ND leader would support structural changes to secure investment and create jobs, but will not vote for new measures and taxes.
He rejected the PM’s claims that the government would be able to change the management of banks, noting that the bailout agreement explicitly forbids the government from interfering in management appointments. The conservative leader pointed to a “harsh winter” ahead and said that the Tsipras-Kammenos coalition keep saying different things.
“You increased tax payments, brought VAT hikes to islands and hotels, the solidarity levy, increased tax on rents and you temporarily suspended the VAT on private schools,” he added.

Socialist PASOK
PASOK leader and head of the Democratic Coalition (DIMAR), Fofi Gennimata, rejected the PM’s proposal for the formation of a united progressive front against the neoliberal policies included in the third bailout program. “We will not respond in the way you responded to similar appeals for understanding and consensus during critical times for our country,” she said, underlining that “a progressive political force links its government presence with really progressive policies, changes and reforms.” She expressed that the SYRIZA-ANEL coalition is leading the country to a new dead end.

Centrist Potami (River)
Potami leader Stavros Theodorakis said his party would support the government in its correct decisions but not the bad ones. “We don’t agree with neoliberal policies, nor are we thrilled about your populist approaches,” he said. He said that Potami aims to change the old system and not be part of it, attributing Greece’s dire straits to the parties that governed and are governing today. He presented his party’s proposals for every government sector, such as:
– Revising ministers liability and parliamentary immunity so that MPs can be prosecuted for offenses they commit in the same way as ordinary citizens
– Changing the electoral law so that the leading party is not offered a 50-seat bonus
– Breaking up major electoral regios so that MPs aren’t beggars on TV channels

Communist Party of Greece (KKE)
KKE leader Dimitris Koutsoumbas warned the prime minister to not interpret the electoral results as consent by the people for unpopular measures. He accused the PM of loading Greece with a “more barbaric third memorandum”. “The time is not far when people will draw conclusions on how to use their vote,” he said. He said that there should be a change of course so that social needs can be addressed.