SYRIZA wins Confidence Vote in Parliament
19.01.2019
Less than 48 hours after FYROM Prime Minister, Zoran Zaev succeeded in mustering the parliamentary support to push through the historical name-change accord in Skopje, one that will see the Balkan state being renamed the Republic of North Macedonia, Panos Kammenos, after holding talks with PM Tsipras on Sunday said his Independent Greeks party [AN-EL] was no longer able to support PM Alexis Tsipras’s Government, citing the Prespa Accord as the reason.
Alexis Tsipras responded by saying he would immediately seek a vote of confidence in his government. The vote opened with two days of debate on Tuesday and took place on Wednesday.
After ANEL's withdrawal from the government, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras announced his intention to request a reaffirmation of the Parliament's vote of confidence on the basis of Article 84 of the Constitution.
“I have informed the President of the Parliament [of the vote] so that the Government can complete its term of office up to October 2019.” He added that he had had a “frank discussion” with Panos Kammenos, whom he thanked for his government partnership. “In critical moments everyone assumes his responsibilities … in the national interest I will not go back, I will not falter.”
Evangelos Apostolakis will take up the post of Minister of Defence.
"I will ask for the confidence of Parliament in order to move forward with these great interventions, which are indispensable for the country, which will give a breathing space of forward perspective to society, but will also upgrade the international role of the country. Each person must face up to their historical responsibilities."
"For four years I have had a sincere and sincere cooperation with Panos Kammenos. It is well known to all of us that we come from different political families and that all our differences have been known to us. Over these years we have achieved many things. We have extricated the country from the adventure of the Memoranda and have opened up the way for the fight against corruption in politics.
"I would like to thank Panos Kammenos for his irreplaceable contribution. I asked Panos Kammenos for clear solutions and clear conversations. I thank Panos Kammenos for answering this call. He has told me that he will resign from the position of the Minister of National Defence and that he will ask for the other ANEL executives to resign. I accepted his resignation and I will accept any other resignation put before me."
" The country as a pillar of stability and security - this for me is a national goal. In the face of the obvious national benefit and interest, I will not take fright nor will I calculate the political costs. The new Minister of Defence will be Mr. Apostolakis. There is not a moment to lose in consolidating the security and the continuity we have opened up."
"As I have pursued with clear conversations, so I will continue now. The Constitution gives me the power to leave it unclear whether I have the confidence of Parliament."
"We are facing very important challenges, the support of society. We have before us the increase in the minimum wage, the support of the weak, critical interventions in support of society. We have before us institutional interventions that must finally be completed with the Constitutional Review. We have the huge initiative for correcting the relations of the State and Church."
"The Constitution gives me the power [to avoid a vote of confidence Ed]. But I have never travelled with safety in mind and I have taken my decision. I have informed the President of Parliament and we will go immediately to renew the confidence in my Government - for the course of the Government to be completed in the face of great institutional changes."
Alexis Tsipras responded by saying he would immediately seek a vote of confidence in his government. The vote opened with two days of debate on Tuesday and took place on Wednesday.
After ANEL's withdrawal from the government, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras announced his intention to request a reaffirmation of the Parliament's vote of confidence on the basis of Article 84 of the Constitution.
“I have informed the President of the Parliament [of the vote] so that the Government can complete its term of office up to October 2019.” He added that he had had a “frank discussion” with Panos Kammenos, whom he thanked for his government partnership. “In critical moments everyone assumes his responsibilities … in the national interest I will not go back, I will not falter.”
Evangelos Apostolakis will take up the post of Minister of Defence.
"I will ask for the confidence of Parliament in order to move forward with these great interventions, which are indispensable for the country, which will give a breathing space of forward perspective to society, but will also upgrade the international role of the country. Each person must face up to their historical responsibilities."
"For four years I have had a sincere and sincere cooperation with Panos Kammenos. It is well known to all of us that we come from different political families and that all our differences have been known to us. Over these years we have achieved many things. We have extricated the country from the adventure of the Memoranda and have opened up the way for the fight against corruption in politics.
"I would like to thank Panos Kammenos for his irreplaceable contribution. I asked Panos Kammenos for clear solutions and clear conversations. I thank Panos Kammenos for answering this call. He has told me that he will resign from the position of the Minister of National Defence and that he will ask for the other ANEL executives to resign. I accepted his resignation and I will accept any other resignation put before me."
" The country as a pillar of stability and security - this for me is a national goal. In the face of the obvious national benefit and interest, I will not take fright nor will I calculate the political costs. The new Minister of Defence will be Mr. Apostolakis. There is not a moment to lose in consolidating the security and the continuity we have opened up."
"As I have pursued with clear conversations, so I will continue now. The Constitution gives me the power to leave it unclear whether I have the confidence of Parliament."
"We are facing very important challenges, the support of society. We have before us the increase in the minimum wage, the support of the weak, critical interventions in support of society. We have before us institutional interventions that must finally be completed with the Constitutional Review. We have the huge initiative for correcting the relations of the State and Church."
"The Constitution gives me the power [to avoid a vote of confidence Ed]. But I have never travelled with safety in mind and I have taken my decision. I have informed the President of Parliament and we will go immediately to renew the confidence in my Government - for the course of the Government to be completed in the face of great institutional changes."
The Vote of Confidence Debate
On Wednesday evening, 151 MPs gave a vote of confidence to the Government following the Prime Minister's request for it to be reaffirmed in order to continue the political stability for it to be able to complete its work.
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and main opposition leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis crossed swords with furious rhetoric and shouting on a wide array of government policies from the economy to the Greece-FYROM Prespa Agreement, during the debate on the confidence vote.
PM Tsipras said he disagreed with but respected Independent Greeks leader Panos Kammenos’ withdrawal from the government, even as Mr. Mitsotakis claimed that SYRIZA and Kammenos’ party have effectively merged, as several AN-EL MPs declared that would support the Government in the two crucial votes that will determine whether the Government survives – the 16 January confidence vote and the subsequent vote to ratify the Prespa Agreement.
PM Tsipras stressed that he is the Prime Minister who has led the country out of the bailout memorandum era while attending to the needs of those in lower income brackets, who have been hit hardest by the decade-long crisis.
He also accused New Democracy of tolerating the attacks and death threats issued by ND officials and sent to MPs who planned to support the Government in the two votes.
He said photos of women with their heads crushed had been sent to Deputy Public Order Minister Katerina Papakosta and he demanded that Mitsotakis condemn these actions.
The PM said that New Democracy at first tolerated and then organised an operation to terrorise MPs.
“ Mr. Mitsotakis is burdened with a heavy responsibility for wanting to divide the people. In recent days particular colleagues [MPs] who want the Government to remain in power were targeted with threatening messages,” the PM said.
He fervently defended the Prespa Agreement which was negotiated by ex-foreign minister Kotzias, as being in the national interest, as it resolves a key foreign policy problem that has bedeviled the country for over a quarter century.
He said that the agreement is the second greatest accomplishment of his government, after shepherding the country out of the bailout era.
“With a sense of patriotic duty we have upgraded the country’s leadership role in the Balkans and the Eastern Mediterranean in a difficult period characterised by great turbulence and major clashes,” he said.
He said he is certain that the bilateral agreement concluded with Skopje is right and patriotic.
“Patriotism means placing the national interest above partisan interests – pursuing the national interest and not changing views on crucial national issues of historical significance, based on fleeting partisan gain,” the PM declared.
“We want the Greece of progress in the face of this conservatism”
"I urge you to vote for trust in the Government that is fighting for us to return to the Greece of the many, not the few. Not the division and those born in velvet. We want the Greece of progress in the face of this conservatism." With these words, the Prime Minister asked for the vote of confidence of MPs to end the two-day debate.
"On the one hand there is the progressive country and SYRIZA and on the other the party of Mr. Voridis, Mr. Georgiades and Mr. Samaras.
Referring to the Prespa Agreement, Mr. Tsipras announced that he had received official notification by the neighbouring country and stated that "the term “nationality” does not prejudge the issue of the ethnicity of Northern Macedonia and the second point is that the neighbours’ language belongs to the Slavic family of languages as Parliament had been officially informed by the neighbouring country ". (Mr. Tsipras laid the respective documents before the Greek Parliament).
So, Mr. Tsipras concluded, "There is no connection with our own history, our own culture, our own tradition."
The Prime Minister finally assured the opposition that the Agreement will be discussed extensively and that it will be possible to think about it. Referring to Mr. Mitsotakis, he commented negatively on the high tones and the theatrical style he is adopting.
The Prime Minister argued that New Democracy is suffering from a lack of a political narrative because it is failing to adapt to the changes that reality brings.
"You are unable to adapt to reality and when reality changes so much the worse for reality," he said.
The targetting and practices of intimidation of MPs by the President of the official opposition party was mentioned by the Prime Minister complaining that "Mr. Mitsotakis did not find a single word to condemn Mr. Avramakos who yesterday sent messages by mobile phone to MPs intending to support the government ".
"The Greek people know," the Prime Minister said, adding "his [Mr.Avramakos’ Ed] best sponsor is Mr. Mitsotakis as long as he defends Samaras' government."
He finally mocked the head of the main opposition for the infamous attacks, saying:
"Unprecedented levels of political dialogue with threats, denunciations, insults and slogans, even about such people like Admiral Apostolakis who honour public life with their presence."
After the parliamentary process had been completed and his government had received the vote of confidence, Alexis Tsipras noted in a statement: "Today Parliament has voted in favour of stability. It has given a vote of confidence in the effort to regain the international credibility of the country."
It is a vote of confidence "in a Government that has already changed Greece and will continue until the completion of its constitutionally guaranteed mandate with a unique focus on the needs and interests of the Greek people, the needs and interests of Greece of the many."
On Wednesday evening, 151 MPs gave a vote of confidence to the Government following the Prime Minister's request for it to be reaffirmed in order to continue the political stability for it to be able to complete its work.
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and main opposition leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis crossed swords with furious rhetoric and shouting on a wide array of government policies from the economy to the Greece-FYROM Prespa Agreement, during the debate on the confidence vote.
PM Tsipras said he disagreed with but respected Independent Greeks leader Panos Kammenos’ withdrawal from the government, even as Mr. Mitsotakis claimed that SYRIZA and Kammenos’ party have effectively merged, as several AN-EL MPs declared that would support the Government in the two crucial votes that will determine whether the Government survives – the 16 January confidence vote and the subsequent vote to ratify the Prespa Agreement.
PM Tsipras stressed that he is the Prime Minister who has led the country out of the bailout memorandum era while attending to the needs of those in lower income brackets, who have been hit hardest by the decade-long crisis.
He also accused New Democracy of tolerating the attacks and death threats issued by ND officials and sent to MPs who planned to support the Government in the two votes.
He said photos of women with their heads crushed had been sent to Deputy Public Order Minister Katerina Papakosta and he demanded that Mitsotakis condemn these actions.
The PM said that New Democracy at first tolerated and then organised an operation to terrorise MPs.
“ Mr. Mitsotakis is burdened with a heavy responsibility for wanting to divide the people. In recent days particular colleagues [MPs] who want the Government to remain in power were targeted with threatening messages,” the PM said.
He fervently defended the Prespa Agreement which was negotiated by ex-foreign minister Kotzias, as being in the national interest, as it resolves a key foreign policy problem that has bedeviled the country for over a quarter century.
He said that the agreement is the second greatest accomplishment of his government, after shepherding the country out of the bailout era.
“With a sense of patriotic duty we have upgraded the country’s leadership role in the Balkans and the Eastern Mediterranean in a difficult period characterised by great turbulence and major clashes,” he said.
He said he is certain that the bilateral agreement concluded with Skopje is right and patriotic.
“Patriotism means placing the national interest above partisan interests – pursuing the national interest and not changing views on crucial national issues of historical significance, based on fleeting partisan gain,” the PM declared.
“We want the Greece of progress in the face of this conservatism”
"I urge you to vote for trust in the Government that is fighting for us to return to the Greece of the many, not the few. Not the division and those born in velvet. We want the Greece of progress in the face of this conservatism." With these words, the Prime Minister asked for the vote of confidence of MPs to end the two-day debate.
"On the one hand there is the progressive country and SYRIZA and on the other the party of Mr. Voridis, Mr. Georgiades and Mr. Samaras.
Referring to the Prespa Agreement, Mr. Tsipras announced that he had received official notification by the neighbouring country and stated that "the term “nationality” does not prejudge the issue of the ethnicity of Northern Macedonia and the second point is that the neighbours’ language belongs to the Slavic family of languages as Parliament had been officially informed by the neighbouring country ". (Mr. Tsipras laid the respective documents before the Greek Parliament).
So, Mr. Tsipras concluded, "There is no connection with our own history, our own culture, our own tradition."
The Prime Minister finally assured the opposition that the Agreement will be discussed extensively and that it will be possible to think about it. Referring to Mr. Mitsotakis, he commented negatively on the high tones and the theatrical style he is adopting.
The Prime Minister argued that New Democracy is suffering from a lack of a political narrative because it is failing to adapt to the changes that reality brings.
"You are unable to adapt to reality and when reality changes so much the worse for reality," he said.
The targetting and practices of intimidation of MPs by the President of the official opposition party was mentioned by the Prime Minister complaining that "Mr. Mitsotakis did not find a single word to condemn Mr. Avramakos who yesterday sent messages by mobile phone to MPs intending to support the government ".
"The Greek people know," the Prime Minister said, adding "his [Mr.Avramakos’ Ed] best sponsor is Mr. Mitsotakis as long as he defends Samaras' government."
He finally mocked the head of the main opposition for the infamous attacks, saying:
"Unprecedented levels of political dialogue with threats, denunciations, insults and slogans, even about such people like Admiral Apostolakis who honour public life with their presence."
After the parliamentary process had been completed and his government had received the vote of confidence, Alexis Tsipras noted in a statement: "Today Parliament has voted in favour of stability. It has given a vote of confidence in the effort to regain the international credibility of the country."
It is a vote of confidence "in a Government that has already changed Greece and will continue until the completion of its constitutionally guaranteed mandate with a unique focus on the needs and interests of the Greek people, the needs and interests of Greece of the many."
Next … The Prespa Agreement
Former Prime Minister George Papandreou reiterated his support for the Prespes Accord, according to an interview which will be published in a Greek daily over the weekend.
“My opinion on the specific agreement is known, I stated it very clearly months ago and at the political council of the Movement for Change.”
“Our prime concern should be to avoid a division over a foreign policy issue - in this case the Macedonian issue. Difficult issues have been used in the past as a tool to promote party interests, with disastrous effects on the Greek people and the country. If we go to elections with in a climate of division and counter-accusations on who are patriots and who are sell-outs, it will be a disaster,” he added.
To Potami on Friday expressed its support in principle for a name deal between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia without explicitly stating whether it will back the agreement when it comes to a vote in Greece's Parliament.
To Potami stressed that its overall positive view of the deal is tantamount to support “for Greece and not for bringing down [Alexis] Tsipras,” referring to the prime minister.
“There are those that are making Potami's positive stance to the Prespes Agreement appear as support for Mr Tsipras. They are making a big mistake... To Potami only supports the interests of the Greeks,” the party said on Friday.
“Our movement remains firm in the decision of its conference that the problem with FYROM must be resolved and Greece must play a leading role in opening the European path to the neighbouring country,” the party said in a statement after a meeting of its political council which was also attended by Potami's MEPs and other party bodies.
“When it comes to national issues, Potami doesn't form its position based on party interest, neither does it change its views depending on the ups and downs of any given time. We have stable principles, we don't have ideological obsessions and we don't act impulsively,” it added.
To Potami has five seats in the 300-seat House, leaving the government one vote short of an absolute majority. However, the Government appears confident of mustering at least one more vote from the independent bench or from other opposition parties.
Former Prime Minister George Papandreou reiterated his support for the Prespes Accord, according to an interview which will be published in a Greek daily over the weekend.
“My opinion on the specific agreement is known, I stated it very clearly months ago and at the political council of the Movement for Change.”
“Our prime concern should be to avoid a division over a foreign policy issue - in this case the Macedonian issue. Difficult issues have been used in the past as a tool to promote party interests, with disastrous effects on the Greek people and the country. If we go to elections with in a climate of division and counter-accusations on who are patriots and who are sell-outs, it will be a disaster,” he added.
To Potami on Friday expressed its support in principle for a name deal between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia without explicitly stating whether it will back the agreement when it comes to a vote in Greece's Parliament.
To Potami stressed that its overall positive view of the deal is tantamount to support “for Greece and not for bringing down [Alexis] Tsipras,” referring to the prime minister.
“There are those that are making Potami's positive stance to the Prespes Agreement appear as support for Mr Tsipras. They are making a big mistake... To Potami only supports the interests of the Greeks,” the party said on Friday.
“Our movement remains firm in the decision of its conference that the problem with FYROM must be resolved and Greece must play a leading role in opening the European path to the neighbouring country,” the party said in a statement after a meeting of its political council which was also attended by Potami's MEPs and other party bodies.
“When it comes to national issues, Potami doesn't form its position based on party interest, neither does it change its views depending on the ups and downs of any given time. We have stable principles, we don't have ideological obsessions and we don't act impulsively,” it added.
To Potami has five seats in the 300-seat House, leaving the government one vote short of an absolute majority. However, the Government appears confident of mustering at least one more vote from the independent bench or from other opposition parties.
FYROM Parliament passes Prespa Amendments to Constitution
12.1.2019
With 81 votes in favour and none against, the FYROM parliament approved the four amendments to the Constitution and the accompanying implementation Law of the Constitution tabled by Zoran Zaev's government on the basis of the Prespa Agreement.
The four amendments adopted by the House concern the change of the name of the country (from the current “Republic of Macedonia” to the “Republic of Northern Macedonia”), the Preamble to the Constitution, the concern of the State for the country’s diaspora and the respect of the territorial integrity and national the sovereignty of FYROM’s neighbouring countries.
The 39 opposition MPs abstained from the vote.
NATO Secretary General G. Stoltenberg sent congratulations: "I congratulate Prime Minister Zoran Zaev on the final vote in parliament on the Prespa Agreement. NATO strongly supports the full implementation of the Agreement, which contributes significantly to a stable and prosperous region".
"Warm congratulations" on the outcome of the FYROM parliamentary vote on constitutional reform, were sent in a joint statement by the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Federico Mogherini and the Commissioner for Enlargement, Johannes Khan.
In the statement they characterized the approval of the name change as "an important step in implementing the historic Prespa agreement", noting that "political leaders and citizens have shown their determination to take advantage of this unique and historic opportunity for resolving one of the oldest conflicts in the region and moving decisively on the path of the European Union.
"The EU firmly supports this agreement, which is an example of reconciliation for the region and Europe as a whole. As we look forward to completing the next steps leading to the full implementation of the Prespa Agreement, the European Union remains firmly committed to continuing to fully support the country towards its common strategic goal of EU membership."
Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurtz said: "The adoption of the constitutional changes by the Skopje Parliament is a very encouraging and major step in the process of joining Northern Macedonia to the European Union. We hope it creates a positive conjuncture for the whole region. The EU will only be completed with the entry of all the countries of the Western Balkans."
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras congratulated Mr Zaev by telephone on the successful completion of the revision process of the Macedonian Constitution, based on the Prespa Agreement.
"The Macedonian solution is one of my most important assets. If the first was the country's exit from the Memoranda, the second is the recovery of the country's role in the Balkans and, more generally, in the Eastern Mediterranean"said Alexis Tsipras, adding that the Agreement leaves no room for nationalism."
Speaking on OpenTV, he noted that "I believe that the Prespa Agreement is not a matter that has divided public opinion but is an unresolved problem for 27 years. It is a millstone on the foreign policy of the country."
At the same time, he spoke about the "non-existent issues of Macedonian language and ethnicity", which emerged from the opposition's need to view the agreement in the light of petty party interest."
"The only point of reference is the temporary petty-party benefit for Mr Mitsotakis," he said stressing that the leader of the Opposition turned nationality into ethnicity. "Something that does not exist".
"Because Mr Mitsotakis thinks he will lose some voters, the country will be discredited internationally. If I think this is in the interests of the country, let everyone take their responsibilities. "
In January, the Prespa Agreement will come to Parliament, the Prime Minister said, adding that shortly afterwards the ratification of NATO would come.
Referring to the elections, the PM reiterated that the Government would complete its four year term of office. "The elections will be on time. October is my goal."
"Mr. Mitsotakis does not want to go to elections without the Prespa Agreement having been voted on. He is anxious. He is electioneering in a populist way. Let him table a motion of no-confidence, I challenge him."
"I will proceed to early elections if I do not get a majority of 151 MPs."
The four amendments adopted by the House concern the change of the name of the country (from the current “Republic of Macedonia” to the “Republic of Northern Macedonia”), the Preamble to the Constitution, the concern of the State for the country’s diaspora and the respect of the territorial integrity and national the sovereignty of FYROM’s neighbouring countries.
The 39 opposition MPs abstained from the vote.
NATO Secretary General G. Stoltenberg sent congratulations: "I congratulate Prime Minister Zoran Zaev on the final vote in parliament on the Prespa Agreement. NATO strongly supports the full implementation of the Agreement, which contributes significantly to a stable and prosperous region".
"Warm congratulations" on the outcome of the FYROM parliamentary vote on constitutional reform, were sent in a joint statement by the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Federico Mogherini and the Commissioner for Enlargement, Johannes Khan.
In the statement they characterized the approval of the name change as "an important step in implementing the historic Prespa agreement", noting that "political leaders and citizens have shown their determination to take advantage of this unique and historic opportunity for resolving one of the oldest conflicts in the region and moving decisively on the path of the European Union.
"The EU firmly supports this agreement, which is an example of reconciliation for the region and Europe as a whole. As we look forward to completing the next steps leading to the full implementation of the Prespa Agreement, the European Union remains firmly committed to continuing to fully support the country towards its common strategic goal of EU membership."
Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurtz said: "The adoption of the constitutional changes by the Skopje Parliament is a very encouraging and major step in the process of joining Northern Macedonia to the European Union. We hope it creates a positive conjuncture for the whole region. The EU will only be completed with the entry of all the countries of the Western Balkans."
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras congratulated Mr Zaev by telephone on the successful completion of the revision process of the Macedonian Constitution, based on the Prespa Agreement.
"The Macedonian solution is one of my most important assets. If the first was the country's exit from the Memoranda, the second is the recovery of the country's role in the Balkans and, more generally, in the Eastern Mediterranean"said Alexis Tsipras, adding that the Agreement leaves no room for nationalism."
Speaking on OpenTV, he noted that "I believe that the Prespa Agreement is not a matter that has divided public opinion but is an unresolved problem for 27 years. It is a millstone on the foreign policy of the country."
At the same time, he spoke about the "non-existent issues of Macedonian language and ethnicity", which emerged from the opposition's need to view the agreement in the light of petty party interest."
"The only point of reference is the temporary petty-party benefit for Mr Mitsotakis," he said stressing that the leader of the Opposition turned nationality into ethnicity. "Something that does not exist".
"Because Mr Mitsotakis thinks he will lose some voters, the country will be discredited internationally. If I think this is in the interests of the country, let everyone take their responsibilities. "
In January, the Prespa Agreement will come to Parliament, the Prime Minister said, adding that shortly afterwards the ratification of NATO would come.
Referring to the elections, the PM reiterated that the Government would complete its four year term of office. "The elections will be on time. October is my goal."
"Mr. Mitsotakis does not want to go to elections without the Prespa Agreement having been voted on. He is anxious. He is electioneering in a populist way. Let him table a motion of no-confidence, I challenge him."
"I will proceed to early elections if I do not get a majority of 151 MPs."
IT'S GREEK YOGURT
The Ministry of Rural Development and Food is proceeding with its application for the registration of the name "Greek yogurt" in the PGI Register of the EU. in order to safeguard Greek yogurt as a product with Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) from counterfeit practices found in foreign markets and to strengthen the livestock industry and consequently the whole production and distribution chain,.
The project has been assigned to the Dairy Laboratory of the Department of Food Science and Nutrition of the Humanities of the Agricultural University of Athens and concerns all varieties of Greek yogurt from all varieties of Greek milk and exclusively from Greek raw materials.
The Ministry Statement said “The main goal of the product protection is to protect it from counterfeit attempts abroad to use the names “Greek yoghurt” or “Greek style yogurt” and to highlight the unique qualities [of the real thing Ed].
The Ministry of Rural Development and Food is proceeding with its application for the registration of the name "Greek yogurt" in the PGI Register of the EU. in order to safeguard Greek yogurt as a product with Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) from counterfeit practices found in foreign markets and to strengthen the livestock industry and consequently the whole production and distribution chain,.
The project has been assigned to the Dairy Laboratory of the Department of Food Science and Nutrition of the Humanities of the Agricultural University of Athens and concerns all varieties of Greek yogurt from all varieties of Greek milk and exclusively from Greek raw materials.
The Ministry Statement said “The main goal of the product protection is to protect it from counterfeit attempts abroad to use the names “Greek yoghurt” or “Greek style yogurt” and to highlight the unique qualities [of the real thing Ed].
PM Alexis Tsipras’
New Year Message
5.1.2019
"It is the first New Year that we can say that the struggles and the sacrifices of the Greek people have paid off. A new year is ahead of us," said Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras in his New Year's message, pointing out that the year that is coming in is "a year of hope, optimism, expectation and creativity".
"And it is logical, because it is the first year after eight years that our country is already outside the suffocating ring of the Memoranda. It is the first new year that we can say that the struggles and sacrifices of the Greek people have have paid off.
Because Greece has managed it. Contrary to the prophets of doom.
Because today, we are now in a position, without stewardship and commands from outside, to build our own future.
The future we deserve.
A future with people of work and creativity at the epicentre.
In 2019, the first year of being able to breathe and of freedom after so many years, we are again winning the battle of labour.
And we are moving ever faster to further reduce unemployment.
We have already won the battle to return to normality with 350,000 new jobs to date, but our goal remains to win the war.
The flight of young, capable, creative people abroad must be stopped.
Our homeland must become our homeland again, and not just a mother of her children.
That is why, in 2019, we are proceeding even more rapidly.
We are razing to the ground the work regime of the jungle, which was imposed in the years of the Memoranda.
We are fully restoring collective labour agreements.
We are abolishing the shameful sub-minimum wage for young people.
We are proceeding towards a generous increase in the minimum wage for all workers, without discrimination.
We are strengthening the social state, Health and Education.
We are strengthening the social state. First of all, Health and Education.
We are moving to the definitive protection of the primary residence by supporting borrowers so that they can repay their loans.
But we are also supporting the weaker sections who are without property, with rent allowances, so that they can access a decent roof over their heads.
2019, however, is also the year of the great and necessary institutional changes and reforms that for years nobody dared to take forward.
The Constitutional Revision will finally begin.
And it will give breathing room and space to democracy and civic participation.
It will give broader democratic rights to the people, and will take away privileges from the professionals of power.
Like the scandalous privilege of the Ministers' Responsibility Act, which entails immunity for those who are burdened by scandal and charges of misconduct.
The rationalization of Church and State relations will also proceed with the aim of strengthening the spiritual role of the Church, safeguarding the clergy in all respects, and at the same time safeguarding the role of the State as is appropriate in a modern and democratic state.
At the same time, however, 2019 will be the year of the great upgrading of the international prestige and the international role of Greece in the European and international spheres.
As a force for stability, peace and cooperation in a broadly destabilized region.
In this effort, an important step is the Prespa Accord, which will be ratified by the Greek Parliament, closing a barren 30-year cycle of inertia that has cost our homeland a great deal.
With the ratification of the Accord, Greece at last provides protection to the great cultural heritage and hellenicity of ancient Macedonia, while at the same time ensuring its leading role in the wider Balkan region.
Dear men and women compatriots,
2019 will be the year of the rebirth of our homeland.
And with your own stamp, this rebirth will be definitive.
Greece will move forward.
It will not go back to the dark days of the Memoranda and austerity.
With confidence and optimism,
With struggle and determination
We will definitively close off the road to those who want the restoration of the barons' sovereignty of vested interests and corruption.
I wish from my heart, for 2019 to be the year of courage, optimism and great recovery for our homeland.
And it will be.
Many Happy Returns and Happy New Year to all Greek women and men."
"And it is logical, because it is the first year after eight years that our country is already outside the suffocating ring of the Memoranda. It is the first new year that we can say that the struggles and sacrifices of the Greek people have have paid off.
Because Greece has managed it. Contrary to the prophets of doom.
Because today, we are now in a position, without stewardship and commands from outside, to build our own future.
The future we deserve.
A future with people of work and creativity at the epicentre.
In 2019, the first year of being able to breathe and of freedom after so many years, we are again winning the battle of labour.
And we are moving ever faster to further reduce unemployment.
We have already won the battle to return to normality with 350,000 new jobs to date, but our goal remains to win the war.
The flight of young, capable, creative people abroad must be stopped.
Our homeland must become our homeland again, and not just a mother of her children.
That is why, in 2019, we are proceeding even more rapidly.
We are razing to the ground the work regime of the jungle, which was imposed in the years of the Memoranda.
We are fully restoring collective labour agreements.
We are abolishing the shameful sub-minimum wage for young people.
We are proceeding towards a generous increase in the minimum wage for all workers, without discrimination.
We are strengthening the social state, Health and Education.
We are strengthening the social state. First of all, Health and Education.
We are moving to the definitive protection of the primary residence by supporting borrowers so that they can repay their loans.
But we are also supporting the weaker sections who are without property, with rent allowances, so that they can access a decent roof over their heads.
2019, however, is also the year of the great and necessary institutional changes and reforms that for years nobody dared to take forward.
The Constitutional Revision will finally begin.
And it will give breathing room and space to democracy and civic participation.
It will give broader democratic rights to the people, and will take away privileges from the professionals of power.
Like the scandalous privilege of the Ministers' Responsibility Act, which entails immunity for those who are burdened by scandal and charges of misconduct.
The rationalization of Church and State relations will also proceed with the aim of strengthening the spiritual role of the Church, safeguarding the clergy in all respects, and at the same time safeguarding the role of the State as is appropriate in a modern and democratic state.
At the same time, however, 2019 will be the year of the great upgrading of the international prestige and the international role of Greece in the European and international spheres.
As a force for stability, peace and cooperation in a broadly destabilized region.
In this effort, an important step is the Prespa Accord, which will be ratified by the Greek Parliament, closing a barren 30-year cycle of inertia that has cost our homeland a great deal.
With the ratification of the Accord, Greece at last provides protection to the great cultural heritage and hellenicity of ancient Macedonia, while at the same time ensuring its leading role in the wider Balkan region.
Dear men and women compatriots,
2019 will be the year of the rebirth of our homeland.
And with your own stamp, this rebirth will be definitive.
Greece will move forward.
It will not go back to the dark days of the Memoranda and austerity.
With confidence and optimism,
With struggle and determination
We will definitively close off the road to those who want the restoration of the barons' sovereignty of vested interests and corruption.
I wish from my heart, for 2019 to be the year of courage, optimism and great recovery for our homeland.
And it will be.
Many Happy Returns and Happy New Year to all Greek women and men."
On New Year's Eve, Η Αυγή published this article by Kostas Douzinas, SYRIZA MP for Piraeus A' and Professor at the University of London.
Counting the days to B-Day
Although the Brexit episode is unique, we find all the elements of it in the rest of Europe. Britain is showing us the future if the European elites continue, like Nero, to recite poetry while Rome burns.
The chaos, as dense as the fog of London, which is covering Britain's political life is a symptom of a time in Europe, characterized by a lack of vision, unworthy politicians, the destruction of the peoples' expectations. The laughter that covered May's speech in the British Parliament, when she announced that she was postponing the vote about Brexit because she would lose it, is symbolic of a poorly acted theatrical work that is nearing its end. An end that no one knows, not even its own authors. The endgame of Brexit has elements of farce, starring a number of second-class clowns like Farage, Boris Johnson, or the Brexiters’ leader, Rees-Mogg, a character that comes straight out of a satire on the arrogant stupidity of the aristocracy.
But at the same time it is also a tragedy, as the lives of millions in Britain and Europe are being put at risk. In the middle, May, a mini-Thatcher, without the decisiveness, the strength or the handbags of the original, is driving a train that runs without brakes towards the cliff.
In less than ninety days, on B for Brexit day, the UK will leave the European Union. They said that in World War I the train schedules decided who would be the victor. Today, the clock is running relentlessly towards March 29. But will Britain leave Europe?
In a sense, it was never in Europe. "Mist on La Manche (English Channel for the British), Europe cut off," said the meteorologists. Since the invasion of the Romans in the first century AD and the Normans in the eleventh century, the “Mainland” is the great wound of British society. It cuts across it diagonally and splits in two all classes, parties, interests. In the 1970s and 1980s it split the Labour Party. Now it's the turn of the Conservatives to get to know the intense europhobia of the ruling class. They are people who grew up with the experiences or memories of the empire and do not accept being members of a “club” that they do not run. It makes it worse that it is run by their greatest enemies who they defeated in two wars. Brexit has within it the whole history of the 20th century as well as also the traumatic end of the Empire.
But will Brexit happen? This still remains the most likely outcome. But not because the majority wants it either in Parliament or among the people. If it does happen, it will be the result of the complete failure of the political class. May’s agreement will not get through Parliament when it comes before it in mid-January. And as the clock runs toward B-day, it's not certain there will be time to apply the brake to the train.
There are three possible scenarios. 1.The United Kingdom leaves with a "managed No Deal". This will prevent the creation of chaos in air and sea travel, in the importation of medical supplies, personal data protection, etc. 2. As B-day approaches, politicians will panic and accept the May deal or something similar. 3.The general paralysis and the lack of a majority for any version will force May to ask for a postponement of B-day. Then we will have either an election or a second referendum. However, Corbyn's victory is not certain. The fact that he remains a spectator at the moment waiting for the break up of his opponents before he makes his move, as well as his statement that he supports Brexit, has disappointed many of the supporters of Remain. The first scenario is slightly more likely at the moment.
In the last three months, when it became clear that the negotiations could fail, the demand for a "second vote", a new referendum, became deafening. Corbyn, a child of Tony Benn and the radical left of the 1970s, believes that the capitalist Union will not allow leftist governments to pursue an independent industrial policy. It is the belief of a left-wing Euro-scepticism, which still believes that socialism can be built in one country, by a powerful movement and with the help of the trade unions. But there is also pragmatism in the decision. The popular preference for Brexit has not been radically overturned. As he told us recently, to win the election, he must take fifty seats that all voted Brexit, from the Conservatives. But the chief characteristic of Corbyn is his belief in democracy.
As long as the Executive, the MPs and the members decide in favour of Remain, Corbyn will follow in spite of his misgivings.
Brexit, the end of the social contract
Brexit was a result of economic distress and cultural alienation. When Europe was still social democratic, it put up some barriers to the capitalist extremes of Thatcher and Blair. Since the 1990s, the European elites have adopted the most extreme neo-liberal prescriptions. When jobs departed en masse, leading to systemic unemployment, when wages and job protection were destroyed in the name of competitiveness, justifiably, popular dissatisfaction turned against the EU. Between 2009 and 2014 the economy grew by 10%, but real wages declined by 6%. The referendum gave the opportunity to traditional Labour voters and those left behind by globalization to vote against the political castes. 64% of the poorest strata voted Brexit. The majority of those voting for Brexit are victims of capitalist globalisation.
For many, certainly, immigration was also important. In globalized capitalism, while capital is freely circulating, there are constantly restrictions on the movement of people. But the rationale of xenophobia is political, not economic. Economic migrants are useful demographicly and keep wages low. Thus, industry associations have supported them. Blair allowed Eastern Europeans to come to Britain without restrictions and, of course, Merkel invited refugees. In order to turn the legitimate concern of workers about jobs and dignity into racism, a political intervention is required. That's what Brexit's rightwing propagandists did. Xenophobia is the last prop of the Right, which has ruined with its policies those who, supposedly, its supports with its rhetoric.
But behind everything lies the violations of popular confidence by the elites: the lies that led to the war in Iraq, the failure of the occupation, the financial collapse of 2008, which led to a huge recapitalization of the banks at the same time as citizens lost their homes and their businesses. It was the final failure of the post-war social contract and the transition from a traditional paternalistic capitalism that believed in the public interest to a narrow-minded caste that believes only in the market.
Although the episode of Brexit is unique, we find all of its elements in the rest of Europe. Brexit was a pre-announced divorce. But Britain is showing us the future if European elites continue like Nero to recite poetry while Rome burns. The diminution of the Union is a result of the diminution of minds. From the [Movement of the]Squares and the Indignados to the "Yellow Vests", the peoples learned to revolt. This is our great hope.
Counting the days to B-Day
Although the Brexit episode is unique, we find all the elements of it in the rest of Europe. Britain is showing us the future if the European elites continue, like Nero, to recite poetry while Rome burns.
The chaos, as dense as the fog of London, which is covering Britain's political life is a symptom of a time in Europe, characterized by a lack of vision, unworthy politicians, the destruction of the peoples' expectations. The laughter that covered May's speech in the British Parliament, when she announced that she was postponing the vote about Brexit because she would lose it, is symbolic of a poorly acted theatrical work that is nearing its end. An end that no one knows, not even its own authors. The endgame of Brexit has elements of farce, starring a number of second-class clowns like Farage, Boris Johnson, or the Brexiters’ leader, Rees-Mogg, a character that comes straight out of a satire on the arrogant stupidity of the aristocracy.
But at the same time it is also a tragedy, as the lives of millions in Britain and Europe are being put at risk. In the middle, May, a mini-Thatcher, without the decisiveness, the strength or the handbags of the original, is driving a train that runs without brakes towards the cliff.
In less than ninety days, on B for Brexit day, the UK will leave the European Union. They said that in World War I the train schedules decided who would be the victor. Today, the clock is running relentlessly towards March 29. But will Britain leave Europe?
In a sense, it was never in Europe. "Mist on La Manche (English Channel for the British), Europe cut off," said the meteorologists. Since the invasion of the Romans in the first century AD and the Normans in the eleventh century, the “Mainland” is the great wound of British society. It cuts across it diagonally and splits in two all classes, parties, interests. In the 1970s and 1980s it split the Labour Party. Now it's the turn of the Conservatives to get to know the intense europhobia of the ruling class. They are people who grew up with the experiences or memories of the empire and do not accept being members of a “club” that they do not run. It makes it worse that it is run by their greatest enemies who they defeated in two wars. Brexit has within it the whole history of the 20th century as well as also the traumatic end of the Empire.
But will Brexit happen? This still remains the most likely outcome. But not because the majority wants it either in Parliament or among the people. If it does happen, it will be the result of the complete failure of the political class. May’s agreement will not get through Parliament when it comes before it in mid-January. And as the clock runs toward B-day, it's not certain there will be time to apply the brake to the train.
There are three possible scenarios. 1.The United Kingdom leaves with a "managed No Deal". This will prevent the creation of chaos in air and sea travel, in the importation of medical supplies, personal data protection, etc. 2. As B-day approaches, politicians will panic and accept the May deal or something similar. 3.The general paralysis and the lack of a majority for any version will force May to ask for a postponement of B-day. Then we will have either an election or a second referendum. However, Corbyn's victory is not certain. The fact that he remains a spectator at the moment waiting for the break up of his opponents before he makes his move, as well as his statement that he supports Brexit, has disappointed many of the supporters of Remain. The first scenario is slightly more likely at the moment.
In the last three months, when it became clear that the negotiations could fail, the demand for a "second vote", a new referendum, became deafening. Corbyn, a child of Tony Benn and the radical left of the 1970s, believes that the capitalist Union will not allow leftist governments to pursue an independent industrial policy. It is the belief of a left-wing Euro-scepticism, which still believes that socialism can be built in one country, by a powerful movement and with the help of the trade unions. But there is also pragmatism in the decision. The popular preference for Brexit has not been radically overturned. As he told us recently, to win the election, he must take fifty seats that all voted Brexit, from the Conservatives. But the chief characteristic of Corbyn is his belief in democracy.
As long as the Executive, the MPs and the members decide in favour of Remain, Corbyn will follow in spite of his misgivings.
Brexit, the end of the social contract
Brexit was a result of economic distress and cultural alienation. When Europe was still social democratic, it put up some barriers to the capitalist extremes of Thatcher and Blair. Since the 1990s, the European elites have adopted the most extreme neo-liberal prescriptions. When jobs departed en masse, leading to systemic unemployment, when wages and job protection were destroyed in the name of competitiveness, justifiably, popular dissatisfaction turned against the EU. Between 2009 and 2014 the economy grew by 10%, but real wages declined by 6%. The referendum gave the opportunity to traditional Labour voters and those left behind by globalization to vote against the political castes. 64% of the poorest strata voted Brexit. The majority of those voting for Brexit are victims of capitalist globalisation.
For many, certainly, immigration was also important. In globalized capitalism, while capital is freely circulating, there are constantly restrictions on the movement of people. But the rationale of xenophobia is political, not economic. Economic migrants are useful demographicly and keep wages low. Thus, industry associations have supported them. Blair allowed Eastern Europeans to come to Britain without restrictions and, of course, Merkel invited refugees. In order to turn the legitimate concern of workers about jobs and dignity into racism, a political intervention is required. That's what Brexit's rightwing propagandists did. Xenophobia is the last prop of the Right, which has ruined with its policies those who, supposedly, its supports with its rhetoric.
But behind everything lies the violations of popular confidence by the elites: the lies that led to the war in Iraq, the failure of the occupation, the financial collapse of 2008, which led to a huge recapitalization of the banks at the same time as citizens lost their homes and their businesses. It was the final failure of the post-war social contract and the transition from a traditional paternalistic capitalism that believed in the public interest to a narrow-minded caste that believes only in the market.
Although the episode of Brexit is unique, we find all of its elements in the rest of Europe. Brexit was a pre-announced divorce. But Britain is showing us the future if European elites continue like Nero to recite poetry while Rome burns. The diminution of the Union is a result of the diminution of minds. From the [Movement of the]Squares and the Indignados to the "Yellow Vests", the peoples learned to revolt. This is our great hope.
Greece facing demographic challenge
Greece’s population has declined by 360,000 in the last seven years and is projected to drop by a further 770,000 people over the next 12 years if birthrates remain at today’s levels, according to recent data collected by experts at the National Centre of Social Research (EKKE) and a special parliamentary committee on demographics and social affairs.
Greece’s population could plummet by up to 50% in 35-50 years if nothing is done to tackle the low birthrate, the aging population and the brain drain sparked by the emigration of young people to foreign lands in search of a viable career.
As a result, Greece’s workforce will shrink even further and analysts fear this will have a devastating impact on the economy and the country’s already severely burdened social insurance system.
Greece’s population has declined by 360,000 in the last seven years and is projected to drop by a further 770,000 people over the next 12 years if birthrates remain at today’s levels, according to recent data collected by experts at the National Centre of Social Research (EKKE) and a special parliamentary committee on demographics and social affairs.
Greece’s population could plummet by up to 50% in 35-50 years if nothing is done to tackle the low birthrate, the aging population and the brain drain sparked by the emigration of young people to foreign lands in search of a viable career.
As a result, Greece’s workforce will shrink even further and analysts fear this will have a devastating impact on the economy and the country’s already severely burdened social insurance system.