Greek Socialists promise speedy economic measures

Factbox

* PASOK leader pledges stability and growth plan
* Promise of investment, public sector wage rises
* 'Time to role up our sleeves'

GREECE: Greece's main opposition leader George Papandreou, whose Socialist Party is expected to win snap elections on October 4, pledged on Saturday to take measures fast to bring the country out of economic crisis.

Within its first 100 days, his government would pass laws to slash waste, grant relief to businesses and households and boost public investment as part of a 3-year stability and growth plan, Papandreou said in a speech to businessmen in Thessaloniki, northern Greece. "It's time to roll up our sleeves and work all together," said Papandreou, who hopes to bring the socialist PASOK party back to power after more than five years in opposition. PASOK's popularity rose after the ruling conservative New Democracy party of Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis was buffeted by a string of scandals.

Hurt by the global crisis, the economy risks sliding into its first recession in 16 years. Polls show the socialists leading New Democracy by more than 6 percentage points, but they may not win an outright majority.

Karamanlis, who has ruled with a parliamentary majority of one seat, this month called snap elections mid-way through his second term, seeking a fresh mandate to take tough economic measures.

Athens, Sunday, Reuters