Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ATHENS1408
2008-10-08 12:34:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Athens
Cable title:
NEW DEMOCRACY MAJORITY UP SLIGHTLY WITH RETURN OF PRODIGAL
how-toVZCZCXRO1216 OO RUEHIK RUEHLN RUEHPOD RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHTH #1408 2821234 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 081234Z OCT 08 FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2605 INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE RUEHXD/MOSCOW POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHINGTON DC RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS ATHENS 001408
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER GR
SUBJECT: NEW DEMOCRACY MAJORITY UP SLIGHTLY WITH RETURN OF PRODIGAL
MP
REF: A. ATHENS 1399
B. ATHENS 1380
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PROTECT ACCORDINGLY
UNCLAS ATHENS 001408
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER GR
SUBJECT: NEW DEMOCRACY MAJORITY UP SLIGHTLY WITH RETURN OF PRODIGAL
MP
REF: A. ATHENS 1399
B. ATHENS 1380
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PROTECT ACCORDINGLY
1. (SBU) Stavros Dailakis, the New Democracy deputy expelled from
the parliamentary caucus for criticizing PM Karamanlis's personal
aides on October 2 (reftels),has been reinstated by the PM. As a
result, the GoG again has a majority of 152 seats in the 300-member
Parliament. Dailakis had earlier sent a letter of apology to
Karamanlis asking to be re-admitted to the ND parliamentary caucus.
2. (SBU) Also in Parliament, main opposition PASOK leader George
Papandreou announced on October 7 that his party would support
government efforts to defend the Greek economy against the impact of
the world economic crisis. Papandreou's statement drew applause
from government deputies. PASOK, Papandreou added, would not
abandon its criticism of a government that has effectively lost the
confidence of voters, but it could not ignore the need for national
unity on questions of economic policy in such dire times.
3. (SBU) COMMENT: Whether with 151 or 152 deputies in Parliament,
PM Karamanlis must contend with a party that has become far less
united in the face of rapidly growing economic and political
challenges. Press commentators highlight a generalized drop in ND
morale and a suspicion amongst some senior deputies that
Karamanlis's ability to handle the crisis may be receding. In
contrast -- and for the first time since he became leader of PASOK
in 2004 -- George Papandreou is drawing positive press comments for
his statesmanlike pledge to work with the government to defend the
Greek economy and his overall "improving" public presence. With
polls showing ND and PASOK running neck and neck, Papandreou's
"transformation" could soon become an important advantage in the
main opposition's efforts to attract centrist, undecided, and
independent voters, whose total number, polls show, currently stands
near 20 percent.
SPECKHARD
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER GR
SUBJECT: NEW DEMOCRACY MAJORITY UP SLIGHTLY WITH RETURN OF PRODIGAL
MP
REF: A. ATHENS 1399
B. ATHENS 1380
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PROTECT ACCORDINGLY
1. (SBU) Stavros Dailakis, the New Democracy deputy expelled from
the parliamentary caucus for criticizing PM Karamanlis's personal
aides on October 2 (reftels),has been reinstated by the PM. As a
result, the GoG again has a majority of 152 seats in the 300-member
Parliament. Dailakis had earlier sent a letter of apology to
Karamanlis asking to be re-admitted to the ND parliamentary caucus.
2. (SBU) Also in Parliament, main opposition PASOK leader George
Papandreou announced on October 7 that his party would support
government efforts to defend the Greek economy against the impact of
the world economic crisis. Papandreou's statement drew applause
from government deputies. PASOK, Papandreou added, would not
abandon its criticism of a government that has effectively lost the
confidence of voters, but it could not ignore the need for national
unity on questions of economic policy in such dire times.
3. (SBU) COMMENT: Whether with 151 or 152 deputies in Parliament,
PM Karamanlis must contend with a party that has become far less
united in the face of rapidly growing economic and political
challenges. Press commentators highlight a generalized drop in ND
morale and a suspicion amongst some senior deputies that
Karamanlis's ability to handle the crisis may be receding. In
contrast -- and for the first time since he became leader of PASOK
in 2004 -- George Papandreou is drawing positive press comments for
his statesmanlike pledge to work with the government to defend the
Greek economy and his overall "improving" public presence. With
polls showing ND and PASOK running neck and neck, Papandreou's
"transformation" could soon become an important advantage in the
main opposition's efforts to attract centrist, undecided, and
independent voters, whose total number, polls show, currently stands
near 20 percent.
SPECKHARD