Greek Interim Government Members Refrain From Salaries

Greece’s new prime minister, Panagiotis Pikrammenos gave his mark to the caretaker government that expires at June 17th 2012, when fresh general elections will take place. “Few words, lots of work.” Pikrammenos told his ministers at their first cabinet meeting. 

According to To Vima  newspaper, Pirkammenos reportedly said that the country’s problems cannot be solved within one months and that the aim of the government should be “to lead the country into a safe port of the next elections, to yield a political solution.”

Further, he urged members of the government to speak only on matters of their competence and not on broader issues, avoiding statements that might be misunderstood or gain partisan involvement and be exploited.

Panagiotis Pikrammenos proposed – and all ministers agreed – that they  should not receive remuneration for their duties.

Greece’s caretaker Prime Minister reportedly stressed the need to comply with international obligations of the country “but if some constraints may be discussed again, that would be sought.” (TO VIMA)

According to constitution a caretaker government can not proceed to the “structural reforms” needed the bailout programme. It cannot take action unless there is something urgent.  That is the case if there is a problem with the cash reserves,  the liquidity of the banks, the expenditure and revenues of the State.

The first financial problem that this government has to solve is the cost of the fresh elections, that is claimed to be something between four and ten million euro.

BTW:  Panagiotis Pikrammenos was President when the Council of State (Supreme Administrative Court) decided that the Memorandum of Understanding I (loan agreement) was in compliance with the Greek Constitution.

Under his presidency the CoS also ruled that the emergency property tax is in compliance with the Constitution only if it is temporary and not permanent and that power cuts due to unpaid property tax via electircity bills are against the Constitution.