PM ponders bond fallout
Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis is concerned that the recent scandal involving bond purchases by pension funds – and the backbiting it has generated among his ministers – is having a serious impact on the government’s work, Kathimerini understands. High-ranking sources who have held conversations with Karamanlis said that the premier appeared to be deeply concerned by the problems that have been raised by the bond purchases. He is particularly worried by the apparent lack of team spirit within his government, which has led to some members hinting that Labor Minister Savvas Tsitouridis should resign. Defense Minister Evangelos Meimarakis was also critical of government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos and the way New Democracy has handled the public relations aspect of the bond scandal. However, sources said Karamanlis was not considering firing Tsitouridis or carrying out another reshuffle, since there is no evidence linking the minister with any wrongdoing and because any sweeping changes might send out signals that the conservatives were panicking.
