‘Is the censure motion a gaffe or a bluff?’

Published on 8 November 2013 at 11:58

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The far-left SYRIZA coalition filed a no-confidence motion on November 7 against the government of Antonis Samaras, following the police storming of the headquarters of the public radio-television broadcaster ERT the night before. The building had been occupied by journalists who had been fired in the sudden shutdown of the broadcaster in June.

For SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras, the police action is "an attack on democracy".

However, Ta Nea warns, the overwhelming likelihood is that Samaras will not be troubled by the motion, as the government, in coalition with the Socialists of PASOK, can count on 155 votes out of 300 in the Parliament. In this case, the daily notes, the SYRIZA initiative would turn into a "gift" for the government and rally the majority. The debate must begin on the afternoon of November 8 and the vote should be held just before midnight.

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