Panhellenic Socialist Movement

A new organization, calling itself “Organization for Revolutionary Self Defense,” has claimed responsibility for an armed assault against the headquarters of PASOK in central Athens, on the eve of European Parliament elections on May 25.

A potential crisis for hundreds of students appeared to have been averted on Wednesday after administrative staff at the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) halted nearly three weeks of strike action.

Back in the days when socialist PASOK was the country’s main opposition, led by George Papandreou, the party never missed a chance to proclaim its intention to renationalize OTE telecom and change the agreement with Cosco regarding Piraeus port.

Taking stock of Greece’s six-month European Union presidency on the day before Italy takes over, Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos on Monday called it “successful,” noting it had paved the way for the country to finally emerge from a protracted financial crisis.

Prime Minister Antonis Samaras has congratulated Greece’s national soccer team after its second round exit at the World Cup in Brazil and his government has pledged to build a new training center for the team.

“All Greeks are proud of our national team,” Samaras said in a brief message after Greece lost to Costa Rica on penalties. “Congratulations to all the boys.”

 PM, Venizelos to discuss prior actions

The government faces a difficult week as a controversial bill foreseeing the part-privatization of the Public Power Corporation (PPC) is set to go to Parliament on Wednesday amid vehement opposition by leftist SYRIZA and unionists to the measure, one of a series of so-called prior actions that Athens has pledged to the troika.

New Bank of Greece Governor Yannis Stournaras on Wednesdya pledged not to be swayed by political pressures and interests during a session in Parliament where his appointment was confirmed in a vote by the committee for public bodies.

A draft bill aimed at paving the way for the break-up and partial privatization of Greece's national electricity producer, Public Power Corporation (PPC), is due to go to Parliament on Thursday.

Six hundred university administrative staff are set to get their jobs back after being fired last year as part of the government mobility’s scheme in the public sector. The decision was reached by Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and Deputy Prime Minister Evangelos Venizelos late on Sunday.

 Junior coalition partner calls for better evaluation scheme before public sector workers are dismissed

Andreas Loverdos disagreed over how many university administrative employees should be rehired after being placed in a labor reserve last year, with the remainder being dismissed.