Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis responded to recent remarks by former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, rejecting the comparisons he drew between Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.
The government spokesperson argued that such an equation “has no logical basis,” while also addressing speculation about Mr. Samaras forming a new party, as well as upcoming changes in the government lineup, clarifying that there will be no general government reshuffle.
As he noted, on Thursday, following the election of a new secretary of New Democracy, the prime minister will announce the individuals who will assume specific government posts, including the portfolio of deputy minister of transportation. He also made it clear that Giorgos Mylonakis will not be replaced. “We want to have him by our side very soon,” he said.
“The impact of a new party will be judged at the ballot box”
Speaking to SKAI and commenting on the possibility of the former prime minister forming a political party, Mr. Marinakis noted that any assessment of the impact on New Democracy is premature.
As he stated, only the election results can show whether such an initiative will affect the electoral strength of the ruling party, adding, however, that the rhetoric and positions expressed so far by Mr. Samaras do not appear to be directed at citizens who support or are considering supporting New Democracy.
The response regarding the “politicians of the marquee”
The government spokesperson made a special reference to Antonis Samaras’s statement about “politicians of the marquee,” in which he had placed Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Alexis Tsipras in the same category: “This defies logic, especially when coming from a man who has suffered, both politically and personally, from Mr. Tsipras’s philosophy. Mr. Samaras, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and all the presidents of New Democracy have suffered this logic at the hands of the respective opposition parties. Not to say that we, as a political party, haven’t sometimes engaged in such collective behavior in the past. But Mr. Samaras personally endured the logic of the political arena—of being singled out—which goes beyond political debate. And I am referring to the targeting in the Novartis case. So, for a politician like Alexis Tsipras to be identified with the sitting president, I believe that defies logic,” he noted.
Call to avoid labels
Regarding Haris Theocharis’s characterization of Antonis Samaras as “far-right,” the government spokesperson distanced himself, pointing out that such characterizations do not contribute to public discourse.
As he noted, especially when it comes to a former prime minister and former president of New Democracy, political disagreements should be expressed without personal labels.
Mr. Marinakis was also asked to comment on the statement by Sofia Voultepsi, who had described the expulsion of Antonis Samaras as a “mutual mistake.”
In response, he spoke of a development that no one had wanted, but which, as he said, was deemed inevitable under the specific circumstances. He emphasized that it was an unpleasant moment for the party, but left no room for a different outcome.
Regarding the stance of former Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis, the government spokesperson described him as a politician with a strong sense of party loyalty.
He emphasized that both Mr. Karamanlis and Kyriakos Mitsotakis remain historically connected to New Democracy, while refraining from speculating on the former prime minister’s future political moves.
“PASOK inadvertently bolstered Tsipras’s rise in the polls”
Referring to recent polls showing Alexis Tsipras maintaining a strong political presence, the government spokesperson argued that New Democracy cannot rely on comparisons with its political opponents to sustain its electoral momentum.
As he noted, the government must convince citizens through its own work and not because it is considered a better choice than other political leaders.
Commenting on the former prime minister’s poll numbers, Pavlos Marinakis assessed that the strategy recently adopted by PASOK also contributed, albeit indirectly, to strengthening his presence. “Without going so far as to say that PASOK is Mr. Tsipras’s sponsor—because I consider such clichés a bit outdated— it is certain that PASOK has played a role—without realizing it—in Mr. Tsipras’s standing in the polls, which appears to be solidifying, at least for now, in second place,” he said.
According to him, Alexis Tsipras embodies a political logic that combines empty promises with intense populist rhetoric, while he argued that PASOK attempted to move into a similar political space, increasing the intensity of its opposition and adopting more aggressive rhetoric. “It adopted the logic of 1980s Greece—that is, promising more than we can deliver—and added to that the logic of the upper and lower squares. That is Mr. Tsipras. He is the continuation of 1980s Greece, along with the rhetoric and logic of populism, of the voices and shouts from the upper and lower squares. PASOK was tempted, in order to win votes, to ramp up the intensity, the populism, the rhetoric, to go even further, believing that this would bring it to power more quickly. And instead, Mr. Tsipras came along, who is the true embodiment of this logic, and it appears he is surpassing PASOK,” he emphasized.
According to the government’s assessment, this choice did not yield the expected benefits for PASOK, as it ultimately strengthened the former prime minister politically, whom it characterized as the authentic exponent of this political approach.
New Democracy’s goal remains a majority government
The government spokesperson emphasized that New Democracy continues to have as its primary goal the achievement of a majority in the upcoming elections.
As he noted, poll data indicate that the ruling party is still several points away from its goal, a fact which, he said, requires continuous effort and a persuasive political message to the public.
He emphasized that the government is seeking to convince voters that the country needs another period of political stability, describing a majority government as a difficult but achievable goal.
“The only party with which cooperation could be possible is PASOK.”
When asked about the possibility of government coalitions in the event that a majority is not achieved, Pavlos Marinakis argued that the will of the people must be respected from election night onward, with the formation of a government as the top priority.
At the same time, he ruled out any prospect of cooperation with political groups that, as he said, represent populism and the practices of the past.
As he notably stated, the only party with which there could theoretically be a basis for discussion is PASOK, citing its institutional stance and the seriousness it has demonstrated in recent years.
However, he pointed out that PASOK’s leadership has already publicly ruled out such a possibility of cooperation.
Tax Relief at the Thessaloniki International Fair
The government spokesperson also previewed new economic measures, revealing that during the Prime Minister’s announcements at the Thessaloniki International Fair, a package of tax breaks for businesses will be presented.
According to him, these announcements will be part of the government’s broader plan to boost growth and entrepreneurship.