FUCK THE POLICE
911 EVERY DAY
The Socialist revolution is coming! We will bring down the conservative Obama forces and far-right Republican/Fascist coalition!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/oct/04/greece-election-pasok-party
Greek socialists claim victory in election
Greek socialist party supporters in Athens react following exit poll results from the parliamentary elections in Greece. Photograph: Angelos Tzortzinis/AP
Amid scenes of jubilation, Greek socialists were on course tonight to be elected into office with what appeared to be a resounding victory after more than five years of conservative rule.
With a sixth of the vote counted, the centre-left Pasok party was leading with 43% – enough to form a government in the 300-seat parliament – while the centre-right New Democracy party had 36%.
The resurgence of Pasok, led by the US-born George Papandreou, follows mass disillusionment with a government marred by scandal and criticised for its handling of the economy and a string of natural disasters.
The prime minister, Costas Karamanlis, had called the poll midway through his term in office, hoping it would boost his legitimacy. But the gamble failed to pay off. By voting out the incumbent New Democrats so determinedly, analysts said, Greeks had shown how "fed up" they were with the abuse of power.
Papandreou, 57, the scion of a political dynasty that has dominated Greece for 50 years, had wooed voters by promising to "revolutionise" the country's cultural and political life – and offering the possibility that its near bankrupt economy could be "fixed" without further austerity. "We need a new start," he told the Guardian in an exclusive interview. "We need to clean up our act … people, clearly, are looking for an alternative that is both realistic and visionary."
Tackling cronyism, corruption and a bloated state sector would, he said, be top priorities along with a €3bn stimulus package to jumpstart the economy.
George Papandreou, leader of the Pasok party, promised to kick-start the economy with a €3bn stimulus package. Photograph: Petros Giannakouris/AP Papandreou is head of the Socialist International, the global grouping of leftist parties, and his victory will be a boost for the left. His ascent to power will, say analysts, usher in a "wind of change." Unlike his father, Andreas, who founded Pasok out of an anti-dictatorship movement in 1974 and was then elected prime minister three times, Papandreou eschews fiery rhetoric.
He prefers a more measured stance on "national" issues. As foreign minister in the 1990s he masterminded the reconciliation policies that led to an improvement in ties with Turkey.
But implementing the Socialists' agenda of reform will not be easy and Papandreou is unlikely to be given a honeymoon period.
"People are very scared out there. They are very worried about the economy because in this country so much depends on the state," said analyst Pavlos Tsimas. "I have been following Greek elections for over 30 years and I have never seen anything like it, there is absolutely no joy, no hope."
The "politics of hope" that some have accused Papandreou of peddling will need to be backed up with visible results, commentators say. "The new government will have to be a bit like an army on the march, with targets reached and announced every few months," said Thalia Dragona, a professor of social psychology and former Pasok MP.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/oct/04/greece-election-pasok-party
Greek socialists claim victory in election
Amid scenes of jubilation, Greek socialists were on course tonight to be elected into office with what appeared to be a resounding victory after more than five years of conservative rule.
With a sixth of the vote counted, the centre-left Pasok party was leading with 43% – enough to form a government in the 300-seat parliament – while the centre-right New Democracy party had 36%.
The resurgence of Pasok, led by the US-born George Papandreou, follows mass disillusionment with a government marred by scandal and criticised for its handling of the economy and a string of natural disasters.
The prime minister, Costas Karamanlis, had called the poll midway through his term in office, hoping it would boost his legitimacy. But the gamble failed to pay off. By voting out the incumbent New Democrats so determinedly, analysts said, Greeks had shown how "fed up" they were with the abuse of power.
Papandreou, 57, the scion of a political dynasty that has dominated Greece for 50 years, had wooed voters by promising to "revolutionise" the country's cultural and political life – and offering the possibility that its near bankrupt economy could be "fixed" without further austerity. "We need a new start," he told the Guardian in an exclusive interview. "We need to clean up our act … people, clearly, are looking for an alternative that is both realistic and visionary."
Tackling cronyism, corruption and a bloated state sector would, he said, be top priorities along with a €3bn stimulus package to jumpstart the economy.
He prefers a more measured stance on "national" issues. As foreign minister in the 1990s he masterminded the reconciliation policies that led to an improvement in ties with Turkey.
But implementing the Socialists' agenda of reform will not be easy and Papandreou is unlikely to be given a honeymoon period.
"People are very scared out there. They are very worried about the economy because in this country so much depends on the state," said analyst Pavlos Tsimas. "I have been following Greek elections for over 30 years and I have never seen anything like it, there is absolutely no joy, no hope."
The "politics of hope" that some have accused Papandreou of peddling will need to be backed up with visible results, commentators say. "The new government will have to be a bit like an army on the march, with targets reached and announced every few months," said Thalia Dragona, a professor of social psychology and former Pasok MP.
