Anna D steps aside to fight Greek poll

By David Cronin

Date: 12/02/04

ANNA Diamantopoulou is to step aside as European commissioner for employment and social affairs to stand for Greece's Socialist party PASOK in the 7 March general election.

Senior Commission sources confirmed that she will neither be performing her duties as commissioner for the duration of the election campaign, nor drawing her salary. However, the sources say she is not expected to resign before the poll.

Commission President Romano Prodi is set to decide today (12 February) which commissioner should be in charge of her portfolio between now and the election.

Diamantopoulou has been asked to contest the poll by George Papandreou, who took over from Costas Simitis as PASOK leader last weekend.

Anna Diamantopoulou, European Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs, has been asked by her political party to head PASOK's State Ballot List for the March 2004 Greek parliamentary elections. Mrs Diamantopoulou will take unpaid leave from her Commissioner duties for the duration of the election.

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