The increase of the minimum wage, the real dilemmas of the parties’ cooperation and the opposition’s parochialism were mentioned by the spokesperson of the New Democracy, Alexandra Sdoukou, speaking to ERT News.
The κ. Sdoukou highlighted the contradictions in PASOK’s strategy, arguing that at this congress, with the speech of Mr Androulakis, it became obvious that they had put themselves in a political dead end and at the same time continued a “parochialism of money trees.”
As he noted, “listening to the speech yesterday and having as a central theme of the congress whether or not they will work with New Democracy, I think PASOK has locked itself in. Because while it understands that there is no prospect of being the first party, let alone when we are separated by more than 15 points in the polls, and it rules out any cooperation with New Democracy, it actually opens the door to all the others and Greek society must know who it wants to cooperate with in the end: with Mr Tsipras, with Mrs Konstantopoulou, with Mr Velopoulos? With whom? Greek society has the right to know.”
.
The κ. Sdoukou said that comparing yesterday’s speech of Mr Androulakis with that of the Thessaloniki exhibition, the conclusion comes out effortlessly that “what he had said at the Thessaloniki exhibition, he repeated and raised the bill even more. At the Thessaloniki fair he handed out promises that he had not costed, which would have been in the range of 3-4 billion and yesterday he added more to the bill.”
He added that “the position of New Democracy is very clear, we are seeking a third independent term, with Kyriakos Mitsotakis as Prime Minister, because we believe that strong majorities bring political and economic stability. We believe that it is possible. In any case, it is more feasible for New Democracy, which is asking Greek citizens for their vote by claiming a self-reliant next term in government, than for parties that are 15 or 17 points behind to claim victory.”
Then Ms. Sdoukou stressed that “obviously this is for the Greek citizens to decide. That is, whether they will give us the self-reliance we are seeking. From then on, if they do not choose this and if they give a mandate for cooperation for the next day, we will be called upon to do what the Constitution says.”
“But for the parties to work together, they must have a programmatic convergence. They must have common principles and values. We in the past have operated without any rigidities. We have cooperated with PASOK in the difficult times of this country. But if you look at the parties to our right, for example, they express an extreme, cohesive and irrational rhetoric. I don’t think you would ever expect New Democracy to work with parties of this type. So that is why we say that the stakes of the next elections are very critical and the Greek citizens should think very seriously about it. That is why we will continue to fight for self-reliance and a next government term”, he stressed, noting that “there is a big difference in perception between PASOK and New Democracy. When we go ahead, based on the country’s finances and based on European rules, with measures, while we see around us billions being spent without caring about consequences, about the future or about regulations, then there is a big difference in logic.”
He reminded that “if we decided to do what PASOK had proposed in Thessaloniki, how would we be able to empower citizens today? You saw that the war came, the effects of this crisis we are living through and as a government we were able to support society with this first package of 300 million.” He pointed out that earlier the government, within the possibilities of the improving economy, “increased wages and pensions, reduced taxes especially for young people and families, implemented social policies in health and education, increased the minimum wage six times in its term of office, which is now 42% higher than when it took office. At the same time, it has brought in investment, reduced unemployment and achieved the budgetary targets. Thus, every year, step by step and despite repeated international crises, she has improved the lives of citizens.”
He concluded by noting that “the opposition has an obsession to constantly present everything in black, but this is not in line with the perception of society, which sees that progress is being made in the country. Citizens know that there is no magic wand to go from one phase to another. But they see the steps that are being taken, so the dilemma here is very clear. A responsible course for our country with New Democracy and Kyriakos Mitsotakis or an irresponsible attitude with the opposition’s moneybags that when the next crisis comes we will have no possibility of protecting our citizens.”
