Call for 'victory' as PASOK anniversary marked

    Main opposition PASOK party leader George Papandreou addressed a party rally in the Athens district of Thisio on Thursday evening, marking the 35th anniversary of PASOK's founding, during which he called for victory with a self-sufficient Parliamentary majority in the national elections due to take place on October 4.

    Papandreou said that "our faith in Greece which is creative, gave birth to our (Panhellenic Socialist) Movement in 1974 and things came in such a way that today, on this symbolic day for all of us we are once again sounding an awakening bell for all the creative forces of the country that thirst to see this country progressing and playing a leading role once again, that toil for a better tomorrow, that cannot tolerate to see the wealth of our country being appropiated by a few, powerful and 'our guys'."

    The PASOK leader added that "I am appealing today to this big and creative majority of our society, sending a clear message of awakening that now is the time for us to set a course of creation and contribution since Greece cannot wait" and stressed that "the sun of hope will rise again on October 4."

    He further pointed out that "two parties are not merely confronting each other in these elections, but two completely different worlds and two different options for the homeland."

    Papandreou said that the one conception led Greece to experiencing its deepest crisis from the time of the restoration of democracy in 1974, while PASOK represents a period of creation for the country, "based on values and principles of justice".

    "They believe that victory in the elections gives them rights. We know that victory in the elections fills us with responsibilities. And whoever does not realise this has no place in my government," he further said.

    Referring to the ruling New Democracy party, without mentioning the party's name or the prime minister's name, he said that "they are avoiding battle, collapsing under the weight of the deadlocks that they themselves and their policies created."

    "I envisage what is self-evident: A fair tax system, a new redistribution in which all of us will pay the share corresponding to us fairly, but we shall know at the same time that our taxes are meaningful," Papandreou stressed.

    The PASOK leader also said that he will be presenting the National Recovery plan at the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) and added that "just like in 1981 and in 1993 we are not afraid of the challenge of governance."