PM urges youth to take part in changes

Άρθρο από το Hellenic Business (www.hbnews.gr)

[10.07.2010, 09:24]

Μέγεθος γραμμάτων:

Prime Minister George Papandreou on Friday urged the country's youth to actively take part in the process of changes in the country being advanced by his government, while he also appealed to the political parties to include young people in their ballots for the upcoming local government elections.

Speaking in Parliament during an off-the-agenda debate on social issues and rights, instigated by Communist Party of Greece (KKE), Papandreou lambasted what he called the "old clientilistic state", which he said was a factor of delay and dependence, due to the mentality it cultivates, in citizen-state relations as well as the relations the country traditionally cultivates with "its patrons", and stressed the need for a "revolution", with the youth as the spearhead, for changing that mentality.

"We will achieve this revolution with the active participation of the young people, so that we will stop living the paradox in which today's generation is the most education, with the most qualifications and dexterities and the most well-travelled but faces the risk of living worse off than the previous generation," Papandreou said.

The premier noted that his government, both before the last general elections that brought it to power and today, pledges a truly progressive policy for the young people, justice for all the generations.

"Solidarity among the generations is at the crux of the new social security system. We will support the weak youth through a welfare system that we are creating, but we will also support the creative youth. The young people need liberation, not restriction, of their potential," Papandreou said, adding that his government will make use of the best international practices, explaining that he has asked a "top personality to head an international team that will evaluate our welfare system" and at the same time review the issues concerning the young generation.

Changes are necessary, he continued, so that the youth will be at the spearhead of global knowledge. The time has come, he added, to link the tertiary education institutions with regional development.

"Let's change Greece, together. Take your future in your own hands," the premier urged the country's youth.

During a second turn at the podium, he stated that his government has passed more legislation against corruption than any other government in the past.

Referring to main opposition New Democracy (ND) party, he said the question is “who has the will to change things” and not who is to blame for a situation.

Responding to Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) parliamentary group leader Alexis Tsipras’ demand for a referendum on social insurance system reforms, Papandreou said the government intends to present a draft law in Parliament allowing the referendum option in the future.