Statements on the reduction of the number of MPs

A new law for public voting will be presented by Interior Minister Mr. Harris Kastanidis, as he announced during his meeting with journalists this afternoon.

Mr. Kastanidis directly stated that he will be publishing a new and edited framework for conducting referenda which will not just be a modified version of the old text, but rather a completely new legal framework. The Minister confirmed the willingness of George Papandreou to hold a referendum in the autumn of 2011, for the first time since 1974.

Also, the minister admitted that he has already begun discussions within the government so that he can put the reduction of MPs from 300 to 200 to a referendum, as revealed in last Sunday’s Proto Thema.

Mr. Kastanidis stated that he will continue his attempt to change the method of financing of political parties which the previous Minister, Giannis Ragousis, had committed to. He also announced that he will redefine how to control election expenses and the taxation inquiries law for MPs.

The last action the ministry will take will be the electoral law, which he did not specify a time framework for.

Mr. Kastanidis characterized Kallikratis as a serious reformative text, and noted that some Local Authorities are in a dire financial position and their consolidation and fiscal health amelioration will be attempted. He also heralded the existence of a second wave of transfering the activities of staff within the public sector. When he received questions on public sector workers and the criticism they have been receiving, he answered stating that “I cannot comprehend when discussions refer to one facet of public life and not to other, equally critical areas”.

He mentioned military personnel as an example who, as he stated, use government-paid cars and gas. He also reported a second example, that of the governors of state banks.

He also commented on the violence against MPs and stated that these efforts are made by people who are desperately seeking a political role, and noted that all who call others to violence have not made the realization that violence is the last refuge of the failed.