国际英语新闻:Greece's conservative gov't wins confidence vote

ATHENS, July 22 (Xinhua) -- Greece's conservative government, which emerged from the July 7 general elections, won a confidence vote in parliament on Monday evening, pledging to rebuild the country in the post-bailout era.

A total of 158 MPs voted in favor of the new administration led by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, while 142 voted against during the roll call vote in the 300-member strong assembly, which was broadcast live on Greek national broadcaster ERT.

"We will not disappoint citizens. Mistakes will be made, but commitment to the key goal should never be doubted," Mitsotakis said, addressing the plenary, shortly before the vote.

"I am confident we will succeed to create a brighter Greece which we all deserve," he stressed.

During the three-day debate in the parliament, Mitsotakis and several new ministers presented the new government's policy framework, outlining main priorities and goals for the next four years.

In the critical sector of the economy, they promised to start easing the tax burden from individuals and businesses gradually from this August and focus on policies aimed to boost growth, woo more investors to accelerate privatizations and create new jobs.

Mitsotakis reiterated that Greece will meet the targets agreed under bailout deals with creditors for the post-bailout era regarding this year, meanwhile attempt will be made to negotiate next year targets for the primary budget surplus until 2022.

Greece exited the harsh bailout programs implemented since 2010 that helped keep the country afloat, although it is still bound to meet certain fiscal targets.

On the eve of the first anniversary of one of Greece's worst tragedies in decades, Mitsotakis promised a series of measures to help heal still open wounds, underlining that this effort symbolizes the wider efforts to breathe new life into the country.

On July 23, 2018 a wildfire swept through the seaside resort of Mati in eastern Attica, causing 102 deaths and extensive material damages. Hundreds of residents were injured, pine trees, cars and hundreds of houses and cars were scorched down.

A year later, the rebuilding process is still lagging, local officials acknowledge.

The new prime minister vowed on Monday evening to speed up procedures to immediately allocate 31 million euros (34.7 million U.S. dollars) to support the fire-stricken citizens and accelerate much needed infrastructure works.

"This symbolizes the road of recovery with the participation of all of us implementing a comprehensive plan," Mitsotakis said.