Simitis, Karamanlis provide first taste of election campaign
PM Costas Simitis, in a visit to the northern town of Grevena, yesterday indicated the climate of the debate that will dominate politics in the runup to the elections, accusing the conservative New Democracy party of «being unable to govern Greece.» Speaking at the opening of a new hospital, Simitis declared, «PASOK’s unwavering target and the measure by which we will be judged in 2004-2008 is whether we determinedly and decisively support the participation of lower income groups in economic development.» Referring to ND’s refusal to be drawn into a debate on the change in the electoral law, he said, «The official opposition shows its lack of concern and its lack of a well-thought-out proposal for the future, as well as a lack of self-confidence.» ND leader Costas Karamanlis, visiting a children’s shelter in Athens, called on Simitis «to abandon big words and discover reality.»
