Press Review May 9: A not-so-subtle intervention from the IMF

The IMF fears ‘political instability’; oil drilling contracts for western Greece are being finalized; the government is looking to sweep aside long-standing zoning regulations in the interest of business profits; manufacture of the Greek ‘poor man’s jeep’ is to be resurrected in the country; and long delayed measures to combat fuel smuggling have still not been implemented.

The Press Project
9 Μαΐου 2014 | 11:11:13

	ELEFTHEROTYPIA The IMF fears a SYRIZA win An intervention over the polls for ‘political stability’ Shortly before the elections for European parliamentarians, regional governors and mayors, the International Monetary Fund intervened via its representative Gerry Rice who stated that, “for the Greek program political stability is an important issue”. After it… voted for New Democracy and PASOK the IMF made public once again its disagreement with the Commission, underlining that the Greek debt remains at ‘high levels’ but avoided, in light of the polls, to speak openly about its viability. The technical team of the IMF, however is due to return to Greece in June or July.
	ELEFTHEROS TYPOS Drilling to begin with 18 billion in revenue for the state What is in the drilling rights contracts for western Greece: From 2015 oil drilling the Gulf of Patras, Katakolos and onshore in the region of Ioannina Estimations of reserves of 300 million barrels of oil. Multiple benefits from taxes, leases, jobs and benefits for the local economies.
	AVGI Planning in favour of large interests A bill drafted by the Environment Ministry will see a complete revision of the planning rules which have applied since 1983 On the altar of the business profits of large interests the government is sacrificing the environment and public property with a bill drafted by the Environment Ministry which has been submitted for a ten-day public consultation. The new draft law gives a fatal blow to the environment, following the destruction / degradation of the shoreline and, furthermore, imposes a regime of unaccountability throughout the country. Specifically in the name of ‘development of productive, or entrepreneurial activities or the implementation of large scale programmes and interventions”, ‘Special Development Plans’ are being institutionalized which will trump every zoning regulation and condition for construction which has applied since 1983. Namely the National Zoning Plan, the regulatory plans, the districting plans etc. And all of this bypassing parliament as the competency for oversight of each Special Development Plan is given to the minister.
	KATHIMERINI ‘Pony’ car manufacture resurrected in Greece The legendary Greek ‘Pony’ car is ready to hit the roads again. The company NAMCO of the Kontogavri family from Thessaloniki which, from 1972 to 1983, manufactured 8 to 10 cars a day is preparing to launch the popular car brand again, the so called ‘poor man’s jeep’, redesigned with new specifications based on modern technology. The goal now is to manufacture 24 new-type Ponys a day. The car design is undergoing final tests and, if all goes well, the plans will soon be submitted to the Transport Ministry.
	TA NEA Fuel: A black-market until 2016 (and then we’ll see) It will take up to another two years to complete the installation of inflow-outflow monitoring systems in gas stations and distilleries, a requirement which was legislated for in 2012 to combat fuel smuggling. The only measure which has actually been implemented to date has been raising the tax on heating oil to match that on gasoline and diesel, which has resulted in Greeks freezing due to its high cost.