Flambouraris: PM did not want to trap anyone!

State Minister Alekos Flambouraris told state broadcaster ERT TV late on Monday that the government is meeting the needs of the Greek people that voted for it. He praised the cooperation between the Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) ruling part and its right-wing Indpendent Greeks (ANEL) junior coalition partner, stating that “there will be no problem with any issue that needs to pass through Greek Parliament.” The controversial SYRIZA heavyweight did not hide his disappointment over other political leaders handling of the recent meeting called by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to handle social security matters, noting that “it was not the intention of the prime minister or the government to trap anyone,” while adding that “the people understand the impasses of the opposition parties.”

Returning to the party’s history of red lines over applying bailout measures, Flambouraris pointed to another one that must not be crossed – that of avoiding cuts in main pensions. He underlined that the government wants to settle social security reforms and tax systems as soon as possible so that the review process can be wrapped up in order for debate on debt settlement to kick off.

On collaboration with Union of Centrists

Flambouraris left open the possibility of a government collaboration with the Union of Centrists that entered Greek Parliament in September. He said that aa collaboration is possible based on the nine measures that Union of Centrists Leader Vassilis Levendis has set out. He said that “4-5 (of these) measures can be accepted”.