SYRIZA’s Political Secretariat held its first meeting for 2019 at the party’s headquarters in downtown Athens presided by Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.
With the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) name issue and the accord signed in earlier in 2018 between the two countries as the main topic, the secretariat reviewed the government’s work and discussed new goals for 2019.
In an announcement issued by the board following the meeting, the government has the 151 votes necessary to ratify the Prespes agreement and any important issue in Parliament.
“All political powers and deputies share the responsibility of voting for the historic Prespes Agreement, in order to resolve an issue that has plagued the country for decades,” the statement highlighted.
“It resolves the issues at stake in a manner that is balanced, fair and beneficial to Greek interests,” added government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos, expressing his certainty that all progressive political forces will “not let this historical opportunity go to waste”.
Other than the Greece – FYROM accord, SYRIZA members discussed the constitutional revision, the agreement with the Greek Orthodox Church, the increase of the minimum monthly wage, protecting a family’s main home from foreclosure and rent subsidies.
New Democracy (ND), Greece’s main opposition party, however, disagreed with several developments being seen by the government as positive and is pushing for elections.
“At a time when our country is facing crucial national and economic issues, Mr Tsipras and Kammenos are plunging it into a dangerous instability,” ND said in an announcement on Monday (Greek time).
“Mr. Tsipras has two choices: Either to seek a vote of confidence in parliament or to lead the country to elections. Τhere has never been a minority government in the post-junta era and there cannot be one now,” the statement concluded.
