Samaras seems determined to proceed

Prime Minister Antonis Samaras is determined to proceed with the filing of the measures in parliament next week, regardless of the attitude that DIMAR will eventually display concerning the labour measures.

Until late last night there was no agreement for Fotis Kouvelis to change his stance. The final phone call between Samaras and Kouvelis did not come. The Democratic Left president insists on his objections to the abolition of collective bargaining agreements and working time arrangements.

Earlier, Dimitris Chatzisokratis had conveyed Kouvelis’ refusal at the meeting with Dimitris Stamatis and asked for the withdrawal of the labour measures for later or their separate filling from the rest of the settings to make it easier for DIMAR to vote. Withdrawing the labour measures, however, is something that has been rejected by the Troika.

Their being filed separately was a likelihood examined by the government, but it was ultimately rejected. Without DIMAR, PASOK and ND count 160 MPs, but they are confident that if DIMAR is given the opportunity, then there will be several members of the other two parties who will also vote against.

The agreement with the Troika will be discussed until Monday at the Euro Working Group that will prepare the meeting of EU finance ministers on November 12, who will decide on the disbursement of the 31.5-billion-euro tranche.

Within the next week, the bill of fiscal and structural measures, which will include the labour measures as well, will be presented in one bill to be voted in parliament. Time limits are tight but the government says that negotiations will continue until the last moment in order to achieve the improvements that will enable Kouvelis to withdraw his reservations.

Of course there are doubts about members of the other two opposition parties who have indicated clearly that they would vote against or that they are still unsure.

A possible rejection of the bill by DIMAR will seal the rupture in the governmental coalition and create a field of political developments even though the party assures that it does not wish to withdraw its confidence in the government.