Labour congratulates Greek Socialists

Hon Chris Carter
Foreign Affairs Spokesperson

6 October 2009 Media Statement
Labour congratulates Greek Socialists

The Labour Party has congratulated George Papandreou and his Socialist PASOK party following their decisive victory in Greece's general election.

"Labour is delighted that the centre-left have won a sizeable mandate from the Greek people," says Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Chris Carter.

"Greece and New Zealand share a friendship based on migration and shared kinship forged in World War II. Greek politicians often mention Greece’s gratitude to New Zealand for our soldiers' courageous defence of the Greek mainland and Crete during the Second World War. Each year the Battle of Crete is commemorated in Athens, and in 2003 New Zealand was represented there by then-Foreign Affairs Minister and now-Labour Party leader Phil Goff."

Prime Minister-elect Papandreou has promised a 3 billion euro stimulus package to jumpstart the Greek economy, and a platform of redistributive taxation to assist those most in need.

“These are social democratic values shared by PASOK and the New Zealand Labour Party,” said Chris Carter.

"We wish PASOK well in Government. Greece has joined Norway and Portugal in the last month in electing centre-left Governments at this time of global economic uncertainty."

ENDS