081109-Greek PM On Riots

Greek PM On Riots

Stepping into the limelight, and facing a political crisis in the aftermath of three days of rioting and unrest across Greece, Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis sounded a tough line on dealing with the rioters:

(SOUNDBITE) (Greek) GREEK PRIME MINISTER COSTAS KARAMANLIS SAYING:

"I have updated the president on the situation of the last days after the unfair loss of the student. No mercy will be taken in the placing of responsibility, no one has the right to use this incident as an excuse for acts of violence against innocent citizens, against their property, against all society and against democracy. In these crucial hours all political parties are obliged to condemn the perpetrators of this violence, this is our democratic duty, this is what citizens want and it is what our national obligation dictates."

The riots have left an ugly mess on the streets of Greek cities which reflects the mood of the nation, if its newspapers are to be believed.

Karamanlis has the narrowest of majorities in the Greek parliament, and the riots are partly a reflection of popular disenchantment of his economic reform programme.

Greece is starting to feel the effects of the economic slowdown - some analysts say the current unrest could topple the fragile conservative government.

Benet Allen, Reuters

limelight - a focus of public attention; "he enjoyed being in the limelight"
aftermath - effects of, a period of time following a disastrous event: in the aftermath of war.
tough strong and difficult to break, cut, or tear: this fabric is tough and water-resistant
unrest - a feeling of restless agitation
topple - fall down, as if collapsing