After a rather productive trip to China and Azerbaijan, the Prime Minister Antonis Samaras returns rejuvenated to Greece and faces a number of pressing matters. Despite the many positive messages from foreign dignitaries, the markets, the troika and international rating agencies, the situation in Greece is critical, with attention required in order to maintain the positive vibes.
In order to continue along with the necessary reforms, the Prime Minister will begin convening with his ministers as of today. One of the PM’s first issues is the implementation of 139 “prior actions” as stated in the latest rescue plan, which have lagged significantly thus far. Mr. Samaras will demand that all responsible ministers take up action and complete was in necessary to avoid any problems.
Other issues requiring immediate attention is the preparation of the list of civil servants to face dismissal and to finalize the list public entities and bodies that are to merge or be abolished. The Minister of State Dimitris Stamatis will supervise this effort and make sure dismissals go ahead as planned.
The PM will also have to tackle the controversial anti-racism bill, which has triggered a “civil war” between the Minister of Justice Antonis Roupakiotis and the government’s general secretary Baltakos. Mr. Samaras must decide the direction in what appears to be a mostly ideological issue.
Mr. Roupakiotis, who is supported by DIMAR and PASOK, has threatened to resign, while the matter has created some division amongst New Democracy’s Parliamentary Group. Furthermore, the government’s vilification of SYRIZA and Golden Dawn as opposite ends of extremism has also created some confusion and tension in New Democracy.
