Prime Minister George Papandreou may propose the formation of a coalition government of national unity to lead the country out of its debt crisis, a Greek newspaper said on Saturday, but the Greek government denied the report.
Financial daily Imerisia said without citing sources that Papandreou would be willing to resign if this helped winning political consensus for a coalition government with a strong parliamentary majority.
The government dismissed the report. “This is not true,” government spokesman Ilias Mosialos told Reuters.
In June, Papandreou told the head of the conservative opposition Antonis Samaras he would be willing to step down and make way for a national unity government to win wider consensus for austerity measures under the terms of its EU/IMF bailout.
(source: ET, Reuters)
Papandreou Mulls National Unity Government: Report
Papandreou Wants Church to Pay More
ATHENS – Stung by criticism it is exempt from a new property tax being imposed on Greek citizens and has largely escaped the austerity measures imposed on the people, the Greek Orthodox Church is reportedly considering ways to help – but apparently only because Prime Minister George Papandreou is set to put the squeeze on its leaders. The Premier will visit Mt. Athos on Oct. 8 to talk about the Church making a bigger contribution. Patriarch Vartholomaios, the spiritual leader of Orthodox Christians, will be visiting the semi-autonomous monastic enclave to celebrate the 20th anniversary of assuming his role.
The newspaper Kathimerini reported that Papandreou is expected to want to discuss the issue of the Church of Greece’s contribution to the country’s effort to improve its public finances. The head of the Church, Archbishop Ieronymos has so far resisted calls for his institution to pay more in taxes, especially on its vast property holdings, and for its clerics, who are paid from the state coffers, to endure the same pay cuts as civil servants, the newspaper noted.
On Oct. 7, the Holy Synod issued a statement arguing that there had been many “myths” about the Church’s contribution, calling on the government to spread the burden of the crisis evenly. “Enough burdens on our brothers on low wages and pensions. Enough of the taxes and cuts to low wages. Enough of the armies of the unemployed. Go after the tax dodgers and make checks on capital.”
The Synod went on to suggest that it would make use of its real estate to help the government. “The Church will give whatever it has left but it will do so when it sees fit and in a manner that it is accustomed to,” the statement said without going into further detail.
In a post on its website amen.gr, the Church said that it had paid a little more than one million in property tax last year and more than $1.87 million in other taxes, including an advance for the following tax year. “While some people are trying to spread doubts about the Church’s commitment in the common effort to overcome the crisis that we are facing … ecclesiastical entities regularly pay their taxes,” the post said. The Finance Ministry said the new tax would not apply to state offices, embassies, religious buildings, monasteries, non-profit organizations, charities and amateur sports clubs.
The Church of Greece commands significant political influence in a country where about 90 percent of the population is Orthodox and has often used its power to hold off state efforts to increase taxes on its considerable wealth.
Greece Beat Croatia 2-0 to Top Group F
Greece took pole position for Euro 2012 qualification in Group F by beating Croatia 2-0 on Friday thanks to two second half goals that moved them clear at the top.
Giorgos Samaras and Fanis Gekas secured the victory, which put Greece on 21 points ahead of Croatia with 19 and the Greeks will qualify if they avoid defeat in Georgia on Tuesday.
Greece dominated the second half and the opening goal came after 70 minutes when the ball fell to the unmarked Samaras at the edge of the penalty area from a corner and he volleyed home.
The game was temporarily suspended less than three minutes after kickoff on Friday when over 100 masked individuals entered a stand and attacked the Croatia supporters.
The group, some wearing motorcycle helmets, threw flares and at least one petrol bomb in their direction. Some Croatia fans responded by ripping off seats and throwing them at their attackers.
The game resumed after a six-minute interruption, but the Croat supporters, said to number about 700, continued ripping seats and throwing them at riot police, who responded with pepper spray.
Croatia fans were involved in pre-game incidents, causing damages in the port of Piraeus, near the stadium where the game is being played.
Greek Bailout Inspection Over – or not
There seemed to be confusion over the state of the Greek bailout talks on Friday.
Inspectors from the so called troika – the European Union, the International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank – contradicted a statement from the Greek government that a review of the country’s progress under a bailout deal was over.
The head of the IMF’s mission for Greece, Poul Thomsen, said hopefully it will be concluded positively soon.
Angry Greeks have targeted the talks blaming the troika for their troubles, pensioner Panayiotis Vassiliou said: “People are justified in being angry with the austerity measures which are very harsh. The fact that we are in this situation right now is the politicians’ fault at the end we will have to fix our economy with these measures.”
The head of the Eurogroup of finance ministers, Jean-Claude Juncker, said the troika inspectors will finish their report on Greece on 24 October.
He also said he expects them to approve the next instalment of bail-out cash – to prevent Athens running out of money.
Greek finance minister Evangelos Venizelos said this week that his country can pay its bills only until mid-November.
(source: euronews)
Pan-Hellenic Exams Results for Children of Greeks Abroad
The Ministry of Education, Lifelong Learning, and Religious Affairs announced the results from the Pan-Hellenic Examinations for admission to higher education for children of Greeks abroad and children of Greek officials serving abroad.
Results can be accessed on the Ministry of Education official website results.minedu.gov.gr by entering the valid 6 digit code number of each candidate as well as the four initial characters of their first name, family name, father’s name, and mother’s name.
In total, from the 1,263 students who took part in this year’s Examinations, 899 succeeded in accessing Greek Universities and TEI.
Matriculation period for students accessing Universities, TEI, ASPETE and ASTE will last from 10.10.2011 to 17.10.2011, while Military and Police Departments will announce their own matriculation dates.
It is necessary that students not miss the matriculation deadline otherwise they lose their access right.
University of Crete Ranks 276th Among 400 Top Universities in the World
The “Times Higher Education World University Rankings” ranked the University of Crete 276th in the annual supplement compiled by UK newspaper The Times listing the world’s top 400 universities.
The University of Crete was the only Greek participant in the 2011-2012 list, while last year Kapodistriako University of Athens, Aristoteleio University of Thessaloniki and the University of Patras were also included in the world’s 400 top higher education institutions.
The surprise of this year’s list was the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), which knocked Harvard University out of the number one spot for the first time in eight years. Harvard is now number two, followed by Stanford University in the third place.
“Times Higher Education” evaluating list is the result of many different aspects, such as the teaching quality, international activities and publications. This year list can be found at: http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/world-university-rankings/2011-2012/europe.html
Greek and Turkish Architects in Exhibition in Thessaloniki
The 1st Diploma Thesis Projects’ exhibition is organized by the Department of Architecture of the Aristotle University in Thessaloniki in collaboration with the Department of Architecture of ITU. This exhibition is being held after continuous collaboration between the Turkish and the Greek Departments. The exhibition will showcase 100 projects, 50 from each Department.
The main purpose of this exhibition is to demonstrate the collaborative way and multiple dimensions of teaching and research of architectural design. The selection of these particular projects has been made by Professors from both Departments.
The exhibition is intended to contribute to the comprehension of teaching and research, taking place in both Departments of Architecture.
The exhibition’s organizing commitee members include:
George Papakostas, Professor, President of the Department of Architecture of AUTH
Vilma Chastaoglou-Martinidi, Professor of the Department of Architecture of AUTH
Titi Papadopoulou, Department of Architecture of AUTH
Fani Vavili, Department of Architecture of AUTH
OrhanHacihasanoğlu, Professor of the Department of Architecture of I.T.U
GülsünSağlamer, Professor of the Department of Architecture of I.T.U
NuranZerenGülersoy, Professor of the Department of Architecture of I.T.U
FatmaErkök, Assistant Professor of the Department of Architecture of I.T.U
The exhibition began on the 6th of October and will stay open till the 7th of November at Apothiki, Thessaloniki Port.
Oaks Being Cut Down Illegally!
Not only have fires already destroyed a large percent of Greek forests, but it recently been discovered that a group of Albanians have been entering the country illegally to cut down oaks!
The department of Boarder Guard in Prespa caught two of them, but the horses they brought with them in order to carry the illegal timber unfortunately managed to escape.
The policemen traced two men aged 22 and 68-years-old, who had illegally passed through Greek boarders, cutting oak trees in the forest area of Vrontero in Florina.
The two men were led in front of the Prosecutos of Florina, where police seized from their possession the illegal wood and an axe.
The same problem is being faced at the forestial area of Polydroso in Souli, where the residents find every day that many trees are being cut. The suspicions fall on loggers who cut the trees before the winter comes, in order to sell them later, causing notable ecological damage.
Priceless Antiquities Seized from Smugglers in Thessaloniki
Police in Thessaloniki have seized “priceless” antiquities of “major archaeological value”, arresting two suspects, officials said late on Thursday.
Officers recovered more than 70 items dating to the late 6th century BC, include four helmets, gold funerary masks, a glass perfume vial, clay idols, metal vessels, pieces of a gold diadem, and an iron sword decorated with gold leaf, culture ministry officials said.
No details were given on their provenance, but such items usually accompanied the burials of Ancient Greek aristocrats or royalty.
The finds were taken to the National Archaeological Museum in Athens on Thursday for inspection by Prime Minister George Papandreou, who called the operation a “great success.”
“We have an ongoing project to protect our cultural heritage and reclaim lost treasures,” said Citizen’s Protection Minister Christos Papoutsis.
Greek and Turkish Trade Associations Come to Kos Island
Greek architects are going to meet with Turkish architects in the island of Kos, located in the Agean Sea, near Turkey.
Greek Technical Chamber in Dodecanese and members of Chamber of Architects Mugla have previously signed protocols in order to promote the scientific, professional, and cultural collaboration between Greece and Turkey.
According to the protocol, both Chambers must promote mutual collaboration, help, and friendly relations among their members.
The meeting of the Chambers takes place once a year. In 2010, the meeting was held in Bodrum. This year’s meeting started on 7th October until 11th of October in the Island of Kos and includes poster exhibition, panel discussions and workshops.