European Commission head Jose Manuel Barroso offered his backing to the Greek government's efforts, following his meeting with the Greek Prime Minister Giorgos Papandreou.

Greek opposition leader Antonis Samaras is due to visit Brussels anew in the coming week to unveil his proposals at the Congress of the European People's Party, as requested by German Chancellor Angela Merkel. In the meantime, the letters sent by former Finance Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis to ND head Antonis Samaras and his predecessor and former Prime Minister Kostas Samaras have caused sensation. In his letters, Alogoskoufis claimed that ND officials did not offer their backing to his work.

Parliament debate on draft-bill providing for requirements for the selection of supervisors in the public sector sparked strong dispute between the government and the opposition ND party. The ND walked out of the debate while its Parliamentary spokesman Konstantinos Tzavaras spoke of a draft-bill included in the framework of a miserable partisan system that PASOK is trying to establish. Responding, Interior Minister Yiannis Ragusis described accusations unacceptable, adding that the draft-bill is a historical decision and decisive step for the modernization of Public Administration.

 

Prime-minister G. Papandreou , who on Tuesday left open possibility to refer to IMF unless EU support is specified, is having a crucial meeting with European Commission President on Wednesday afternoon. Discussion on support to Greece's economy was referred to the EU Summit Meeting on March, 25 after Germany's refusal despite recognizing that Greece has taken the necessary measures. ND party leader Antonis Samaras, who met with euro region Finance Ministers in Brussels, expressed his objection to possibility of Greece's recourse to IMF. A significant development , however, is Standard & Poor's announcement taking Greece off its "negative credit watch," lowering the threat of a downgrade. But it has not ruled out need for additional measures.

An ongoing strike wave has gripped Greece, since employees are escalating their reactions to the new financial and pension measures taken by the government.

Public Power Corporation (DEH) employees, who are staging a 48-hour strike since yesterday, have occupied the company's headquarters in Halkokondili St. Rotating power cuts are likely to continue on Wednesday to cope with demand. GENOP-DEH board is having a meeting with Employment Minister A. Loberdos. There will follow a meeting of GENOP administration board to decide on whether mobilizations will continue or not.

A recent survey indicates that the majority of Greek people considers that implementation of the government's measures, despite being unjust and of dubious effectiveness, is the only option to exit the country from the economic crisis. The opinion poll also shows PASOK in the lead in intention of voting.

Public Power Corporation ( DEH) has announced escalation of industrial mobilizations as of Monday within framework of reactions against reforms in social security system and reduction in salaries. Strike mobilizations may cause disruptions in power supply.