The revision of the multi-bill by the parliamentary Finance Committee revealed disagreements between MPs from the coalition parties, which, if not dealt with corrections in certain Articles, are able to rock the fragile government majority of 155 MPs.

ND ministers are in consultations with ND and PASOK MPs, to agree on improvements and corrections to bend any objections that might arise on the multi-bill. They expect to include adjustments that may be voted by DIMAR MPs as well, tovima.gr writes.

Prime Minister Antonis Samaras met with government vice-president and PASOK president Evangelos Venizelos, and agreed on a series of specific corrections in the multi-bill. Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras and Interior Minister Yiannis Michelakis were present at the meeting.

Among others, the bill contains public administration ministry amendments introducing sweeping public sector reforms, such as the ‘mobility’ scheme that will see thousands of public-sector workers suspended on reduced pay, until they are either transferred to another position or laid off. There are also drastic changes relating to tax law and new mechanisms for deciding the minimum wage, AMNA informs.

Meanwhile, a group of SYRIZA MPs yesterday hung a banner over the parapet above the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in front of the Parliament, which wrote: “Fire the government. ‘No’ to sackings in the private and public sector,” Kathimerini informs.

The banner was hung as thousands of Greeks marched on Syntagma Square to protest a multi-bill that is currently under debate in Parliament and which foresees, among other measures, the streamlining of the public sector. The SYRIZA MPs’ move was met by applause and cheers from the protesters, whom they went on to join the rally.

“There has been no agreement,” between Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos and Democratic Left leader Fotis Kouvelis on the draft bill, the same sources added, but clarified that discussion on other issues on agenda was productive.

A date for a new meeting was not set, while the source reassured that there has not been a confidence issue toward minister of Justice Antonis Roupakiotis.

Deputy Interior Minister Haralambos Athanasiou yesterday said the government’s commitment to combat racism doesn’t require new legislation but amendments to existing laws, enet.gr writes. International human rights groups have expressed strong support for the proposed reform, alarmed at a surge in racially-motivated attacks against immigrants and the rise of the Golden Dawn party.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras expressed his optimism that “things are obviously better” and predicted that the country will recover by the end of the year or early 2014. He said that at the end of 2013 or early 2014 the first signs of recovery will show, but he called for caution about the pressures for easing the programme and the impact they can have in Greece’s efforts for a debt haircut in 2014.

“We are still at the beginning”, he said, “and I am worried because I feel the pressure to ease up. What do they want? To relinquish the perspective of achieving a primary surplus this years that will allow us to negotiate a debt haircut in 2014?” The greatest pressure regard exemption of specific categories of public sector employees from the government’s unified payroll.

According to media reports, the bill would outlaw incitement against people because of their race, religion, ethnicity or sexual orientation, and impose jail sentences of up to six years on offenders, according to reports.

MPs would not be excluded and parties that receive public funding would see it suspended if their leaders publicly denied the Holocaust, took part in racist attacks or used Nazi salutes or symbols in parliament.

Parliament’s Lawmaking Committee convened earlier this week and found that that anti-racism law is not in conflict with the Constitution. However, it was noted that certain essential terms regarding the law need to be better defined and clarified (such as “hate”, “genocide” and “ethnicity”).

According to protothema.gr, PASOK and the Democratic Left support it as it stands and SYRIZA agrees with it but it stumbles upon strong reactions by ND, Golden Dawn and KKE. ND and Maximos Mansion disagree with the bill and the arrangements for dealing with the racist action of Golden Dawn.

The ND’s argument is that the very harsh provisions may result in the opposite effect and reinforce Golden Dawn. Also, according to enet.gr, New Democracy officials concluded during a meeting that Greece has had anti-racism legislation since 1979.

PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos said that the country has an international obligation to vote for the anti-racism bill, which is “an essential measure to protect a democratic state ruled by law”, criticising the delay in submitting the bill to parliament and stressing that “any outstanding issues must be immediately dealt with by the three coalition leaders”.

Democratic Left officials have called on New Democracy to “leave the procedural tricks and agree to submit the bill to parliament for approval”.

According to Kathimerini, the three government parties appear to remain in disagreement about the property tax attached to electricity bills (introduced in September 2011 as an emergency levy).

Democratic Left is adamant that the government should not renege on its original promise to replace the levy with a unified property tax. PASOK also wants the levy to be substituted with “a fairer tax.”

Sources close to Samaras told the paper that the two coalition partners appeared to be competing with each other in displaying social sensitivity rather than backing efforts to push through reforms pledged to creditors to secure a EUR 2.8-billion tranche of rescue aid for March.

As protothema.gr writes, the climate in the government headquarters is heavy as delays and deficiencies arebeing spotted that will complicate the troika negotiations. According to AMNA, Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras briefed representatives of PASOK, Filipos Sachinidis and Democratic Left party, Dimitris Chatzisokratis on all issues that still remain pending in talks between the government and the troika, over the reimbursement of the next tranche of the country’s rescue loan.

Meanwhile, the National Association of Train and Railway Personnel and Suburban Workers Union are moving to 8-hour repetitive work stoppages today until Friday, April 5, from 16.00 until midnight; passengers should expect cancellations and changes to TRAINOSE routes (trains, suburban).

According to media reports, employees require the signing of a new collective bargaining agreement, speak of their unwarranted inclusion in the single payroll and react to the privatization of TRAINOSE.

Government sources told journalists that in his meeting with troika tomorrow [Mar 7], Prime Minister Antonis Samaras will move under the logic that “we continue to negotiate on whatever is not working.” PM’s office stresses the prime minister will tell the lenders’ representatives that there can be no further austerity measures, insisting on strengthening the country’s development prospects by targeting investment and employment growth.

Government sources told protothema.gr that the coming months will be crucial for the future of the austerity programme as the country is at a crossroads and troika must stop pushing things further, since the Greek society will not be able to bear the pressure.

The main remain that of the VAT reduction in catering and the excise tax on fuel that has sent its price soaring and consumption on a downward path.

Regarding the issue of redundancies in the public sector, Samaras will insist on promoting the government’s programme of availability, considering that beyond any social unrest that can be caused by a wave of layoffs, there will be a question of social stability, if one takes into account the reactions of the other two governmental partners.

The economic team will also present arrangements to relieve the indebted households and a programme to transfer funds in order to support and relief the unemployed.

Troika people meet today with Yannis Stournaras, and tomorrow, they will be received by PM Samaras. The meetings are expected to be completed by Sunday [Mar 10], when troika will leave to prepare its evaluation report.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Antonis Samaras is set to decide in the coming days on whether to reshuffle the Cabinet after PASOK leader and coalition partner Evangelos Venizelos, declared that he was ready to put active Socialist politicians in the government, Kathimerini writes.

However, Greek government spokesman Simos Kedikoglou said there was no truth to reports that Prime Minister Antonis Samaras was planning to change the ministers in his government.

“There is no issue at all of a reshuffle, period,” Kedikoglou said in an e-mailed statement, Bloomberg reported.

According to protothema.gr, yesterday evening, and after many consultations on Greek Constitution and parliamentary Standing Orders, the majority (ND, PASOK, DIMAR) decided that the process be done in one sitting with 3 separate votes -one for each proposal- and a total of 7 polls.

The coalition has proposed that only former Finance Minister Giorgos Papaconstantinou be probed in connection with the handling of the Lagarde list following the revelation by prosecutors last month that the names of three of his relatives were removed from the list, Kathimerini writes.

SYRIZA wants Papaconstantinou’s successor Evangelos Venizelos, who leads PASOK, to be investigated along with the former. And the two smaller opposition parties, Independent Greeks and the Golden Dawn want former premiers George Papandreou and Lucas Papademos to be probed too. It is expected that, for each of the votes, MPs will be given ballot papers with the names of all four politicians and the charges they would face.

The participation of MPs in all 3 votes is not mandatory, but New Democracy says “we will participate to the end. There is no question of withdrawal.”

The process is expected to will begin at 10 am and the voting is expected at 6 pm.

The political frenzy surrounding the Lagarde list affair has resulted in limiting the parliamentary discussion to the process, to increasing or decreasing the number of ballot boxes and votes and losing the actual substance which is placing the blame where blame is due, political analysts have suggested.

SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras said that “it is inconceivable that this was decided in the meeting of the three political leaders. The smooth functioning of parliament is being undermined and essentially we have a procedure that removes the secrecy of the vote. This has never happened before in the Greek parliament and reveals panic. Venizelos is self-incriminating himself by asking Samaras for protection. But at the same time he becomes his hostage.” Venizelos, on the other hand insists that “the perpetrator of this conspiracy against PASOK” is the main opposition party.

Finally, late yesterday tovima.gr wrote that SYRIZA is examining the possibility of withdrawing from the voting process if the majority insisted on its proposal for setting up seven polls.

This tactic, SYRIZA people maintain, waves the secrecy of the vote, in a way ‘protecting Mr. Venizelos, who main opposition would like to see investigated about his responsibility regarding the Lagarde list affair.

Talks about Greece exiting the euro will end after critical votes in Parliament this week on new austerity measures, labor reforms and the 2013 budget, Prime Minister Antonis Samaras said yesterday in a speech he delivered to the meeting of the ND parliamentary group.

“As soon as the new measures are passed and we get the critical aid tranche, liquidity will start again to feed businesses and households, uncertainty will end, sentiment will change and the fear of a return to the drachma will disappear,” Samaras told New Democracy MPs at a party meeting, Kathimerini writes.

The Premier had separate meetings with his coalition partners, in an effort to restore unity around the austerity package and 2013 budget to be put up for voting in Parliament on Wednesday.

Although Maximos Mansion appears certain that the measures will pass the critical vote next Wednesday, it is watching with concern the intraparty shocks in the government partners that are also reflected abroad, protothema.gr reports.

Prime Minister’s office told the paper with certainty that despite the refusal of DIMAR the measures will pass with the majority of ND and PASOK. They add that on Sunday, November 11, just one day before the crucial Eurogroup meeting, all three coalition parties will vote for the budget that traditionally has the character of a confidence vote. The negative impressions about DIMAR due to its rejection of the labour package will decrease outside the country as well by its vote on the budget.

In a clear message to the Democratic Left, Samaras said: “I can understand why some of those who have are on our side are having seconds thoughts. I understand that the next crucial steps are big and difficult, but they are worth the trouble. I am making a plea to everyone to proceed with us till the end.”

Sources close to the Premier said that contact with the coalition parties and the troika would continue until Wednesday’s vote, when the structural reforms will be put to vote, but it was unlikely that any major concessions would be made. Should Democratic Left fail to support the measures, there is a possibility it will reject the budget, which will be voted on late Sunday. This would likely lead to the party quitting the coalition.

Meanwhile, GSEE and ADEDY umbrella unions have called a general strike Tuesday and Wednesday. Fixed-track and other public transport services will be affected throughout the week as well. According to media reports, the Athens Metro will operate only on Wednesday.

Lawyers across the country are suspending activity for five days starting today, while prosecutors are extending their strike to November 18.

Municipal workers are expected to hold sit-ins at city halls, garbage truck depots and waste management facilities today.

Disruptions are also expected at Athens International Airport on Tuesday from a three-hour stoppage by air-traffic controllers, starting at 10 a.m.

The meeting comes as tens of thousands of protestors shouting “enough is enough” took part in trade union rallies and marches organised in central Athens yesterday, as part of a 24-hour nationwide strike in protest against a new package of austerity measures.

According to Mega channel, if the package of measures is approved today in the meeting between Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and Evangelos Venizelos and Fotis Kouvelis, an announcement should be expected by Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras early next week. Then the Premier will address Greeks through a televised message to explain that this is the last action in the austerity front and that the government will put a great effort to ensure a fair tax system and to receive the next installment of the bailout agreement.

According to protothema.gr, the government is now facing the new conditions created by the disagreement between the EU and the IMF about the debt crisis in the Eurozone and the Greek case. PM Antonis Samaras believes that time is against our country and seeks an agreement with his coalition partnerns in today’s meeting.

The possibility the disbursement of the next tranche of EUR 31.5 billion to be postponed for the end of November seems a nightmare. Samaras insists that the decision for disbursement should be made before the EU Summit on 18 October and then an urgent Eurogroup should convene for remaining details. The Premier wants to avoid the disbursement of the tranche to enter the debate between the EU and the IMF as regards tackling the crisis in the Eurozone and the sustainability of the Greek debt. The IMF insists that the Greek debt is unsustainable and requires its further restructuring with some significant additional funding.

Meawhile, Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras briefed PASOK and DIMAR yesterday on the content of the package. Stournaras is planning to implement EUR 7.5 billion of cuts next year, with the rest coming in 2014 or spread over a longer period if Greece is granted an extension to its consolidation period, Kathimerini writes.

DIMAR’s economic policy spokesman Dimitris Chatzisokratis said that his party objected to some of the measures in the package, such as the civil service sackings and raising the minimum number of working years needed for retirement from 15 to 20. The leftist party is also concerned at plans to cut farmers’ low-level pensions by 30 euros per month. DIMAR’s opposition means that it is unlikely that the coalition leaders will agree on the final version of the package today, according to the paper.

Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and his coalition partners Evangelos Venizelos and Fotis Kouvelis meet today at 1 p.m. Samaras is to seek to forge a common line with his coalition partners on the measures before traveling to Rome for a three-day official visit. FinMin Stournaras, who is to stay in Athens and continue talks with the troika, has said he hopes for a final agreement on the measures by Sunday.

Yesterday, the tension was evident in the coalition, when PASOK and Democratic Left leaders complained that they have never been informed about the government’s package of measures in detail by anyone in the economic team. PASOK said that they have been informed in detail only for the measures of EUR 5 billion. Democratic Left admitted that they were asked to participate in the troika negotiations but refused, adding that they have made a number of proposals over the summer achieving the equivalent measures.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras met again yesterday afternoon with the troika head representatives in an on-going effort to finalise the EUR 11.5-billion austerity package. According to NET state television, a list of harsh measures “were back on the table” including reductions to low-level pensions, raising of the retirement age and further cutbacks to state administrative costs.

Finance ministry sources told protothema.gr the measures for EUR 2 billion that have been finalised and covered a part of the financial gap of EUR 4 billion, came from cuts in Health, Defense and local authorities. “There is still the tough core”, sources he told reporters, meaning the extra measures of EUR 2 billion that are being examined and will be for salaries and pensions.

According to Protothem.gr, troika is now pressing so the EUR 9.5 billion from the EUR 11.5 billion be saved from cuts in wages and pensions, instead of the EUR 7 billion in the original plan. Officials are also discussing horizontal wage cuts to public administration, at the rate of 5%.

The government aims to save EUR 8.5 billion euros from cuts to salaries, pensions and benefits. And if they add another EUR 1 billion, expected to be collected from the increase in the retirement age from 65 to 67 years, then imposed cuts will reach EUR 9.5 billion.Reductions to pensions will start much lower, perhaps from EUR 600 in total, rather than EUR 1,000. Officials are also thinking of cutting the minimum IKA pension close to EUR 400, and re-thinking of cutting the minimum OGA pension from EUR 360 to EUR 330. It is now almost certain that the already agreed measures include the elimination of the remainder of the 13th and 14th salaries in the public sector and the elimination of the 13th and 14th pensions for all pensioners.

On the other hand, it seems that today’s coalition is -as everybody says- Greece’s last chance to stay in the Eurozone. The fear factor, which was dominant throughout the pre election period and immediately after, worked well with citizens who voted as expected, marginally avoiding the experiment with political radicalism (‘call me Alexis’), and on the other hand giving a weak victory to ND party to force it to cooperate with what is left from the old centre-left.

Later on, government spin efforts replaced fear with hope, with FinMin arguing that we need to try a little bit harder to stay under the Eurozone umbrella, at a time when Europe is about to change. True, but again, not ours. Just like Mario Draghi’s recent intervention: Europe marked it as a new starting point, markets were somehow relieved and Greeks kept trying to figure out how, and if, they were benefited. Greeks know well deep inside that a pathetic -wait and see- stance will bring the country nowhere. Salvation -or, what foreign media keep calling bailout- strategy will depend on initiatives taken from within. So, the motto we should, perhaps, stick to is that the solution “is in our hands”.

Alexis Tsipras knows well that Antonis Samaras will play the troika game, take the heat and hope for some positive results when the boat starts turning, to feed new political talk towards re-election. To reach that, Samaras’ led coalition will have to go through hell; opinion polls will make things even worse.

Alexis Tsipras knows that when the slow Greek boat starts turning, his chances to attack will be numbered. By then he hopes to have a decent political rhetoric, along with the necessary professionalism to turn a wave into government.

Tsipras also knows that Samaras’ staffers are average, cabinet members are of the past, whilst the quotas the Premier had to take in from his coalition partners seem politically helpless. However, the Premier seems determined to save face, along with the reputation of his generation.

Things do not come easy though. Nearly 100 days after the elections, the government continues to staff key positions and is still trying to figure out “equivalent measures” to avoid horizontal cuts, a political bubble that troika wishes to put to rest next to the “renegotiation” rhetoric.

For those who can view Greece from a distance, what they see is from one hand troika (EC-ECB-IMF) people moving in high gear, pushing for the only thing Greeks can accomplish (namely withhold people’s money in the source) and from the other, the leftovers of the previous political system dragged in a battle 2 out of 3 of them appear unwilling to fight. Hence the differences: Antonis seems determined to fire at the enemy before dying in the barracks, Evangelos may eventually save his life as a disgraced HQ clerk, while Fotis is about to catch a stray bullet, while wandering disoriented in no man’s land.

Despite all, the future has presented itself. After the old generation manages to reach its redemption, new politicians (of a different sort) should come forward to take it from there. And here is the most important thing Tsipras knows. If his new competition is once again old school, he will prevail; big time.

Thus, for people to gain from political competition, common sense dictates that new ‘Tsiprases’ should appear to reposition Greek politics (hopefully closer to Europe) and move the country forward. But the process is going to be bloody.

Dr. Demetris Kamaras is the Editor of AlYunaniya.com