Bulletin d'informations du 3 novembre 2012 en Grèce #4

Dimanche, 28 octobre, et quelques heures avant que la procédure de délit flagrant soit périmée, le journaliste Kostas Vaxevanis a été arrêté, suite à la publication de la fameuse liste Lagarde par la revue qu’il dirige, Hot Doc.

Il s’git d’une liste qui comprend plus que 2000 noms de grecs possesseurs de comptes bancaires auprès de la banque suisse UBS, et pour lesquels il y a des soupçons d’évasion fiscale. La liste avait été envoyée au Ministre des Finances à l’époque, Georges Papakonstantinou, par la alors Ministre des Finances de France (et à présent dirigeante du FMI), Christine Lagarde, en forme d’un cd rom. La suite est tragicomique, puisque la liste… a été perdue : l’ex-Ministre Papakonstantinou, et le Président de PASOK, Ev. Venizelos, se sont excusés en déplaçant les responsbilités à leurs collaborateurs et sécretaires, pendant que l'opposition les accusent de cacher la lister pour couvrir leurs amis ou pour pouvoir les menacer plus tard.

Informativo semanal desde Grecia #4 - 3 Noviembre 2012

Radiobubble Informativo Semanal 03 Noviembre 2012 by Mpatman on Mixcloud

El domingo, 28 de Octubre, un par de horas antes de que finalice el flagrante, fue detenido el periodista Kostas Vaxevanis por haber publicado en su revista Hot Doc la famosa lista Lagarde.

Esta es una lista que incluye más de 2000 nombres de griegos que poseen cuentas bancarias en el banco suizo UBS, y quienes son sospechosos de evadir impuestos. La lista fue enviada al entonces ministro de Finanzas de Grecia, Yórgos Papakonstantinu, por la entonces ministra de Finanzas de Francia (y actual Directora del FMI), Christine Lagarde, en forma de CD. El hecho, seguido de una historia tragicómica, en la cual la lista fue "perdida", el ex ministro Griego de Finanzas y Presidente del PASOK, Evángelos Venizelos, se justificó echando la culpa por la pérdida de la lista a sus asociados y secretarios, mientras que la oposición le acusó de ocultar la lista para cubrir a sus amigos o para poder luego chantajear a otras personas.

Was the bailout of Greece legal?

Edited by Keith Ewing, Professor of Public Law at King’s College London, for USI

As the European political crisis becomes ever more intense and the economic crisis ever more acute, there is a third crisis yet to unfold.  This is the crisis of legality now engulfing the EU, an entity that seems to be free to do what it likes and to ignore the legal foundations on which it is supposed to be built.

The EU, its institutions and its representatives are required to act with legal authority and within the scope of legal powers.   To this end, the post–Lisbon treaty is full of clearly expressed principles and obligations, the EU apparently founded on the values of ‘human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights’.

PASOK's downfall and the attempts to stay afloat

Say hello to a new era where PASOK's ability to rule with a comfortable parliamentary advantage is over. With the repudiation of austerity policies at the ballot box, it saw its vote plummeting from 43.9% in the last elections to 13.2%. "PASOK is rotten" said its leader -Evangelos Venizelos- to his aides, highlighting the need for readjustment as many of those sustaining the party's state electoral clientèle -nurtured by favoritism, contracts, and subventions- seem to "abandon the ship". With perks cutbacks under the bailout agreements, high-profile members of major trade union bodies cut ties with the party, while others move around on the political spectrum, seeking shelter with hints of electoral success. 

Greece: the assault on labour

edited by Andrew Brady for USi

The labour movement in Europe faces its most important battle arguably since its creation.  It’s not sensationalist to make such a statement. There is a global assault on organised labour. The epicentre of an economic agenda that is getting rolled-out on the  continent of Europe is Greece.

For some this agenda is abundantly clear but for the vast majority, its underlying ideology remains obscured. The reason being is that there has been a deliberate and orchestrated ‘fog of war’ perpetuated by politicians, multi-national firms and media outlets.

Reflections on Greece: a social crisis

Edited by Andrew Brady for USi

USi spent six nights in Athens recently to gather momentum for our ‘Solidarity with Greece’ campaign with trade unions and community networks. This article is one of three on our reflections on the challenges facing the City and Greece – and what as trade unionists we must do to assist.

With Greece’s future increasingly in doubt an emergency government was established on Wednesday (16 May) with new elections set for 17 June. Away from the debates swirling around about GDP debt ratios, sovereign debt, and, bond rates something very profound and alarming is happening on the ground.

The day after elections: all the latest developments

With more than two years of cuts, layoffs, unemployment and…suicides’ rising toll, Greeks expressed their resentment over the political establishment yesterday, in what appeared to be one of the most low-key general elections.  There were no massive rallies, not excessive use of promotional material whilst for the first time, socialist PASOK and conservative New Democracy avoided setting up in public space their pre-election campaign kiosks, in case passersby attempt to destroy them.

From the beginning, it appeared unlikely for any political party to win a majority. Some believe that the election results officially dropped the final curtain on polity, the time period from 1974 onward, where PASOK and New Democracy succeeded each other in power. With many voters backing small parties and left-wing Syriza achieving its best result ever with sweeping gains in constituencies that traditionally belonged to rivals, there is a merit on that assumption.

LIVE BLOG on May Day 2012 in Greece

15:50 there seems to be no trouble in the area of Exarchia at the moment
15:05 Riot police in Exarcheia opposite protesters' barricades of trash bins in the middle of the street

pic by @_giant_

Teacher takes his own life over austerity

Austerity seems to have pushed another man over the edge, who reportedly hanged up himself on Saturday evening. Savvas Metikidis, a 44 years old teacher, resident of Athens and married with children, went for Easter holidays to his hometown, Stavroupoli in Xanthi. He took his own life in his parents' house allegedly leaving a long suicide note, expressing his resentment over the country's bleak political situation. 
Following Dimitris Kotsaridis suicide outside the Greek parliament, it seems to be the second kind of incident with clear political connotations, a couple of weeks before upcoming elections. The man's funeral will take place today at 16:00 (local time) in Stavroupoli. 


Inflammatory

VIDEO:outburst of applause in Dimitris Christoulas' funeral

Approximately 1500-2000 people attended Dimitris Christoulas' funeral on Saturday, who took his life over financial issues in Syntagma square - central Athens. Mourners started applauding as the coffin arrived in the cemetery, chanting  "Blood flows, seeking revenge" and "People move forward - don't keep your head low - the only way is resistance again". 
For 4 days in a row, citizens have been gathering on the spot where the 77 years old pensioner turned the handgun against him, leaving flowers, Greek flags and pinning notes on the nearby trees.The incident had political connotation as it took place in a focal point for anti-austerity protests opposite the parliament and the man left a suicide note, expressing his resentment for the government and his belief that one day, youths will take up the arms against Greek leaders.


The video below shows the retiree's funeral

Elderly man commits suicide in Athens over mounting debt, triggering rallies in the capital city

Notes pinned on the spot where the man turned
his gun against him:"who' will be the next victim?"
"mnemonium is the murderer","it was not a suicide
but a murder" pic by @northaura

Another dramatic incident amid austerity was added on the long list of suicides over financial burden this morning in Syntagma square, central Athens, during rush hour. The 77 years old  retired pharmacist, allegedly said "I don't want to leave my children in debt" before taking his own life with a handgun near a tube exit. Passersby froze when the shot was heard. Sources said the man left a suicide note expressing his resentment over the government that left him hopeless:


Tsolakoglou* occupation government has literally nullified any chance of my survival that was based on a decent pension, to which I've been the sole contributor for 35 years without any state financial aid.
Since my age doesn't help for sheer resistance (of course without rejecting the possibility that if a Greek were to grab a Kalashnikov first, I'd be the second following) I see no other solution but a decent end (of my life) before I start searching for food into trash bins. I believe that one day, youths with no future will take up arms and hang upside-down those national traitors, as Italians did to Mussolini (in piazza Pareto-Milan) back in 1945."


With Greeks being dragged into the downward spiral of financial and psychological insecurity -to put it mildly- the suicide rate has increased by 40% in the first months of 2011. The incident triggered spontaneous demonstrations coordinated through Facebook in Athens and Thessaloniki . Hundreds of people have gathered already in Syntagma sq   where riot police has formed a defensive ring outside the parliament. 

Far-right popularity amid austerity and xenophobia

Approximately 20 far-right activists wearing helmets and holding bats reportedly attacked university students affiliated with left wing political groups. The attack, which appeared to be well organised and targeted, took place in Athens University's school of science early this afternoon during students’ union assembly. Three students were transferred to hospital suffering injuries.The fascists were allegedly members of National People's Front and Chrysi Avgi (golden dawn). 

Various polls* released in the previous week, show Chrysi Avgi picking up 2.3-3.4% of the national vote, raising fears that "armed conflict" might become a legitimate form of political expression. With Greece under harsh austerity measures, social tensions and xenophobia are on the rise. In an attempt to get voters back who have switched to Chrysi Avgi, LAOS far-right party leader Giorgos Karatzaferis, has been advocating for gun permit as a means of citizens' protection against illegal immigrants. 

Μόνιμη παρουσία της Τρόικας και ένταξη της συμφωνίας στο Σύνταγμα προβλέπουν οι αποφάσεις του Eurogroup

Μετά από 14 ώρες διαπραγματεύσεων, κατέληξαν σε συμφωνία οι ηγέτες του Eurogroup, η οποία μεταξύ άλλων προβλέπει:

• Δάνειο 130 δις, προερχόμενα κυρίως από το Μηχανισμό Στήριξης. Υπάρχει πρόβλεψη συμμετοχής του ΔΝΤ, το ύψος της οποίας δεν έχει καθοριστεί ακόμα.
• 53,5% περικοπή της αξίας των ελληνικών ομολόγων που κατέχουν ιδιώτες, άρα ονομαστική μείωση του χρέους κατά 107 δις. Στόχος του κουρέματος είναι το δημόσιο χρέος να μειωθεί στο 120,5% μέχρι το 2020.

Όλα αυτά βέβαια, με αντίτιμο "ακόμα περισσότερες προσπάθειες" από την πλευρά της Ελλάδας. Περικοπές αναμένεται να γίνουν κυρίως στις συντάξεις, ενώ το Ελληνικό Κοινοβούλιο καλείται να εγκρίνει 79 επιπλέον μέτρα. 

Μάλιστα, σε ανάλυση της ΕΕ/ΔΝΤ αναφέρεται πως ζητούνται από την Ελλάδα "διαρθρωτικές αλλαγές και διορθωτικές πολιτικές" που προϋποθέτουν να πειστούν τα συνδικάτα να αποδεχτούν περεταίρω "ευελιξία των μισθών", πράγμα που κρίνεται αρκετά δύσκολο.

Πέραν αυτών, η συμφωνία προβλέπει ακόμα:

Further anti-austerity protests on board today (LIVE BLOG)

Approximately 3000 people gathered in front of the parliament this morning to protest against austerity, chanting slogans and singing the national anthem. The demo was called by the two major trade union bodies of Greece, GSEE and ADEDY, that reportedly have plans for a third general strike in a row, on top of a series of events coordinated with unions and artists, that will culminate on February 29th, the European day of action. 
A new demo is scheduled this afternoon in Syntagma sq. from left wing groups, SYRIZA trade unionists' network, primary unions, motorcyclists and Mikis Theodorakis movement. Follow #19fgr and #rbnews hashtags for twitter updates. This post will be updated with pics and info.


21:06 A RECAP OF THE EVENING DEMO' S MAIN HIGHLIGHTS

Demonstrators outside the parliament 19/2/2012 by Alexia B. on facebook

• 60 preventive detentions made by police in central Athens (Ermou St. Exarcheia & Monastiraki) prior to the demo.
• People descended on Syntagma sq. across the street from Parliament, remaining peacefully until 19:40, when riot police tactics aimed -in an obvious manner- at dispersing the crowd.
• To this end, pepper spray and stun grenade use was made, 3 people were detained and one man suffered injuries when hit by riot policeman on the head.
• Journalists were reportedly repelled by police for doing their job when covering the demonstration. One of them working for Ant1 TV was detained.

LIVE BLOG on #We_Are_All_Greeks_Now demos

A wave of demonstrations under the slogan "We are all Greeks now" is taking place this afternoon in various cities across Europe and on the other side of the pond, where the Occupy Wall Street movement began. The list with the cities where people plan to march in solidarity with Greek people's struggle against the austerity is long: Milan, Helsinki,Cologne, London, Dublin, Berlin, Copenhagen, Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Stockholm, Edinburgh, Reykjavík, Barcelona, Lisboa, New York, Coimbra and Porto...to name a few. If you wish to check each city's meeting point, please click here. 


For twitter updates follow #weareallgreeks  #18fgr and #rbnews hashtags. 
This post will be updated with pics and videos

London via @Koufalitakis_M

LIVE BLOG on anti-austerity protests: Feb 10-11 & 12

FEB 12 TIMELINE

01:00 Recap of the day's main events 


"Greece en rage", might be an accurate description of what happened today.

• Several preventive detentions in Athens took place before even the demo starts. 
• Massive turnout as expected.The crowd was dispersed very early though, around 17:30-18:00 when tensions aroused on the front side of the demo and riot police officers started hurling teargas to repel demonstrators on the lower side of the square.
• The demo was split, but protesters remained en masse in the nearby roads, to avoid clouds of tear gas filling the air...which was literally unbearable. With sheer determination they attempted to get back on the spot but riot squad tactics were aimed at halting the demo. This cat-and-mouse chase kept for 3,5 hours.
• There were reports by journalists of policemen attacking on random people, protesting peacefully.
• Paul Mason, the BBC correspondent was attacked by a bunch of far right protesters as they thought he was German. The worst was prevented thanks to other people's intervention.
• Clashes spread across the city, with banks and retail outlets set on fire. Estimated number of arsoned buildings at 10  45.
• 100 people suffered injuries, while 74 have been arrested and 92 detained.
• In Thessaloniki 28.000 people demonstrated (including PAME members) and clashes broke out between protesters and riot police as well.



Feb 12, 2012 Demonstrators flooding the streets outside the parliament before clashes pic @Jaquou Utopie

LIVE BLOG 24h general strike Feb 7, 2012

14:15 Demonstrators chanting slogans outside the parliament



14:05 Random protesters outside the parliament now, opposite policemen guarding the building amid new austerity talks by greek leaders