The anti-systemic parties were mentioned by government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis, speaking today on Skye television station.
Responding to remarks about the rise of antisystemic or personal parties, he claimed that similar political formations that ruled in the past “did not solve any problem” and accused the opposition of denunciation and parochialism without costing.
“So when they come out with the programmes and we cost them and now costing will be compulsory by law, by the National Audit Office, that’s when we will cash in. Mostly the citizens will cash in. Until then… until then I will say one phrase: Where you hear many antisystemic people, keep your hands well in your pockets,” Marinakis said.
The government spokesman referred to the role and international presence of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, while he commented on the public debate sparked by Evangelos Venizelos’ statement on the international contacts of the Greek leadership.
In response to a question, Marinakis argued that the former PASOK president did not directly challenge the prime minister, but raised the question of “which one of them he will talk to”, and stressed that Kyriakos Mitsotakis “has conquered the ability to be able to talk to all of them”.
The government spokesman noted that the ability to communicate directly with top leaders is a critical advantage for the country, especially in times of crises such as the pandemic, the migration pressure in Evros, the Recovery Fund and developments in the Middle East. At the same time, he dismissed accusations of arrogance, saying “the truth is not arrogant” and that the government was merely quoting the Prime Minister’s work and international interventions.
“And this is very, very important for the country: that it has a Prime Minister who can talk to all of them and many more, I will say, than those quoted by Mr Venizelos. Why do I say that? Because we have experienced crises in recent years that we could not have imagined would come to a country, in Europe and more broadly. So that is where the moment comes… From Ebro, pandemic, need to bring in money for pandemic, vaccines, recovery fund, crisis in the Middle East. Yes, it is very important that at the helm of the country is a Prime Minister who can talk on equal terms with leaders of top nations. Clearly, with the priority that we are an equal member of Europe. And I will tell you something else: because this is perceived by some as arrogance. The truth is not arrogant and, in fact, I think it is a little too much for some people to talk about arrogance. That is the truth. We don’t say “it’s Mitsotakis and no one else.”. But we do quote what the Prime Minister has done. That is our job, to tell the people that we have done these things. So, when the time of crisis comes, oh no, when the anti-systemic crowns are put aside and the bidding is put aside and the truth comes out. The truth, then, is the truth and nothing more,” Marinakis said.
Asked about Alexis Tsipras and the scenarios of his return to the political limelight, Marinakis harshly criticised the Syriza government, calling it “very tragic for Greek citizens”. He stressed that the former Prime Minister implemented policies contrary to what he had promised, citing the imposition of new taxes, the management of crime and the continuation of the brain drain.
In response to a question on whether there is political time for returns and second chances, the government spokesman noted that the peak moment for a politician is when citizens entrust him with the governance of the country, adding that the ND government did not win “Tsipras” but “the trust of the citizens.”
“Greek society, Greek voters by a majority, through democratic procedures, gave him the baton of the country, the helm of the country. And for a whole four years Mr Tsipras had it and did the opposite of what he had promised and imposed about 30, maybe even more new taxes or increased taxes accordingly, released the serious crime, turned Maximos into a para-ministry of Justice and he also contributed so that Greeks continue to leave, so that 700,000 Greeks continue to leave abroad. Do you know why I am saying this? Not to say we are better than Tsipras. There is nothing more irritating for the people we are addressing to say that we are better than Tsipras or any Tsipras. Neither in 2019 nor in 2023 did we beat Tsipras, we won the trust of the majority of citizens. But I say that because you know these are second and third chances in life,” Marinakis said.
As for the polls, Pavlos Marinakis argued that New Democracy remains the dominant political force, noting that it is “the first government in its second four-year term” to maintain a large gap from the second party amid international crises and wars.
In response to a question about which party might take second place in the next elections, the government spokesman said PASOK president Nikos Androulakis “has decided to play on Tsipras’ terms”, estimating that in such a political field “the authentic spokesman usually prevails”.
Asked about the scenarios of Maria Karystianou creating a party, Marinakis avoided taking a direct position before there were official announcements, stressing that “we have democracy” and that citizens will judge all political schemes and persons. However, he spoke of political logics that “take us back 200 years”, accusing the personal parties of proposing “backwards” at a time when society is calling for accelerated reforms.
Finally, referring to the return of Patriot systems from Karpathos and Didymoteicho, the government spokesman dismissed scenarios of concessions to Turkey. Responding to a question, he stressed that the decision had purely operational characteristics and was taken after a recommendation by the Defence Ministry and the General Staff. At the same time, he argued that the country had made “leaps and bounds” in the defence and arms sector under the Mitsotakis administration.
