With 153 “Yes” votes the austerity package bill was adopted by the Greek Parliament on Wednesday night. The voting brought some casualties for Samaras coalition government as the bill received even less votes than originally thought. MPs from junior coalition partner Democratic Left voted “present”, following the party line except, 2 MPs who voted No.
153 YES were voted by 126 MPs from Nea Dimocratia and 27 from PASOK.
128 NO were voted the MPs from the opposition parties, 2 MPs from PASOK and 2 from DEMLEFT.
“Present” was declared by the MPs of DEMLEFT, 1 MP from ND and 3 from PASOK.
299 MPs were present at the voting.
Immediately after the voting concluded, Samaras expelled from the ND parliamentary group MP Kasapidis, while Venizelos expelled Parastatidis & Kassis (NO), Gkerekou, Bolaris and Koutsoukos (Present) and historical PASOK member Skandalidis, for being absent from the voting.
The next crucial voting on the budget 2013 wll take plac eon Sunday, November 11th, 2012.
Private sector union GSEE has called for a protest rally on Sunday afternoon.
Wednesday voting leaves once-powerful PASOK with only 27 seats in the Parliament.
I WORK IN A TAVERNA IN ATHENS AND TWO DOCTORS FOR DINNER WERE SO UPSET THEY WERE OPENLY SHOUTING THAT THE GREEKS DON’T LIKE THE WHITE ENVELOPE ,WELL THEY WILL FROM TODAY ON WARDS PAY THE BLACK ENVELOPE IF YOU WANT TO SEE A DOCTOR YOU WILL PAY 1000 EUROS UPFRONT.
SHAME CAUSE HIS INCOME GOS TOWARDS 5 PROSTITUTES A WEEK AND KNOW HE CAN ONLY AFFORD 2 A WEEK.SHAME ,SAD,DISCRACEFULL AND TASTELESS.
Mikki, Ok, but please when you type don’t use ALL CAPTIAL LETTERS. In case someone hasn’t told you, that is the equivalent of SHOUTING at someone.
This is common knowledge at any US internet training we receive but I wonder if Greece even teaches this as I see many Greeks who type with all CAPS and I don’t think they are yelling but no one ever taught them manners on these things.
Well thats it now.. Perhaps now Greece can start to grow..?? Samaras says he WILL tackle tax evation..!! Well let him start to fill the empty greek coffers by hitting all these people who have built houses, many of which are profit making holiday homes on the Greek Islands.. They slip under the radar for this new Emergency Property Tax by not being registered..!! Oh, yes they do…!!! Good honest Greeks and Ex-Pats are paying this new tax whilst the Greedy builders are laughing in the face of the taxman…!! If its finished and i am looking across at 7 such unregistered houses.. Occupied for at least 5 years..Just waiting for Quote…. One more paper…!! What a laugh….!! Come on Mr. Greek Taxman.. Do your job and help put Greece back on its feet… Surely not every Official can be corrupt…???
This whole charade of being absent or voting “Present” is nothing short of insulting the intelligence of people. Surely the people of Greece don’t fall for this scam.
By voting “present” these people actually voted yes. They did not vote “OXI”, they just spoiled their vote and by doing so are now instrumental in actaully passing the package. The 19 “present” votes and the one absent MP are in fact 20 “Yes” votes. Snakes in the grass, who haven’t got the cojones to vote for what they say they believe in. Their calculated abuse of the situation to gain personal and party favour is disgustingly shameless.