Vasso, Loverdos and Anna's heavy accusations

An organized plan, as evidenced by the behavior of many Members, was suddenly stopped without a dialogue on the substance of the critical meeting of PASOK’s parliamentary group, which is supposed to scrutinize the latest dramatic developments.

Once the atmosphere became tense through the contributions of Anna Diamantopoulou, Vasso Papandreou and other MPs, the former Parliament President, Apostolos Kaklamanis, spoke with intensity and requested that PASOK’s unity be safeguarded.

He asked, in an authoritative tone, that the whole of the parliamentary group, united, attend the debate that was taking place in the Plenum on the vote of confidence in the government. Immediately, about twenty presidential MPs stood up to leave. There was unrest and protestations by many MPs, who stressed that they have been registered as speakers, but finally only time for a single speech was given, for Dimitris Lintzeris.

Costas Kartalis launched a verbal attack against the Secretary of the Parliamentary Group, Vasillis Exarchos, stating “what is this? Why not let us talk?”, while Eftihis Damianakis also complained along the same lines.

On their part, presidential MPs such as Michalis Pantoulas responded to protesters, “you have nothing new to add, you made your statements to the media”.

Earlier on, Mrs. Diamantopoulou had attacked the PM directly, stating that he had said different things in the cabinet meeting as to whatever they had agreed on a government of a national salvation, which was announced to the parliamentary team. He also asked that Papandreou’s stance be clarified.

Vasso Papandreou’s stance was even more stricter. She told the PM that he has “lost touch with reality”. The former minister stated that the cabinet should have resigned, so that the President of the Republic can proceed with exploratory mandates and move to a transitional government.

“I am sorry for my country and my party. This is not a day like all other days, but for you, it is seemingly ‘business as usual’”, stated Mrs. Papandreou.

Mr. Lintzeris also attacked the PM and made it clear that he will not be giving his vote of confidence, barring three steps: setting up a government of national salvation, adoption of the loan agreement, and elections. Dimitris Karidis' speech was in the same spirit, with a clear warning that his vote is not a given.