“Citizens have three reasons to support New Democracy once again. The first is that we have honored our campaign promises—both in terms of the economy and through a series of reforms in government and everyday life, as well as by strengthening the country in the areas of foreign policy and defense.
The second reason is that, in terms of our team and our leader, I believe we are superior to our opponents. And the third is that if one looks at the parties’ policy platforms, one will find that New Democracy is the only party on which one can pin one’s hopes.”
These points were highlighted by Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis in an interview today on ERT television. “Our goal,” he added, “is not to secure a third term just to win the championship. The goal is to best serve the national interest. That’s why in 2019 and 2023 we made fewer promises than the other parties, and that’s why by the end of the four-year term we will have accomplished everything.
That’s how we’ll move forward: we’ll assess what went well and what went wrong, keep the good parts, and correct the mistakes. And we’ll look toward 2030 with concrete and innovative proposals, based on what’s being done in the world’s most advanced countries and the needs of society. In a spirit of common sense, without exaggeration. That is why I emphasize that New Democracy can and will combine stability and security with the call for change. Because we want to—and we can—be a driving force for ongoing national renewal.”
When asked about the polls, Kostis Hatzidakis emphasized that they demonstrate New Democracy’s acceptance by society. “We,” he added, “must focus on the issues that concern citizens. We must look ahead with realistic and practical solutions. There are other parties alongside us.
Who comes in second, third, or fourth is something the citizens will decide. We will not change our policy based on whether Party A or Party B is doing well in the polls. We are not going to promise more; we will promise only what we can deliver, because no one should take Greece for granted.”
He noted that tomorrow marks three years since the re-election of New Democracy and that during this time a series of reforms have been implemented, such as: private universities, which will enable Greece to become an international educational hub; significant steps to combat tax evasion, such as linking POS terminals to cash registers; and the completion of the Land Registry.
“Our government has a reform agenda. We must not only look at what we’ve done in the past, nor at the accusations leveled by our opponents. Instead, we must remember what citizens went through over the past decade—how many young people left the country—and strive to find solutions in a spirit of patriotism and common sense,” he emphasized.
Regarding the prospect of cooperation to form a government after the upcoming elections, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that New Democracy believes in self-sufficient governments. Beyond that, however, he noted, there is no other option, as PASOK—with which there had been cooperation in the past—has burned its bridges.
“The opposition parties consider it their duty to criticize the government as well as one another, without offering any solutions. But the day after the elections, there must be a government. Let’s not forget that political parties exist to contribute to the governance of the country. We have New Democracy, which is, in fact, the dominant political force. And even if we want to cooperate, there is no one willing to do so. The others are not cooperating with one another. So will Greece remain without a government? Every politically aware citizen can see this.”
Regarding the prospect of former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras forming a new party, Kostis Hatzidakis reiterated that he will make his own decisions and weigh the matter thoroughly. “I believe that if he proceeds with such a move, it will cause some damage to New Democracy, damage to the parties of Mr. Velopoulos and Ms. Latinopoulou, and it will harm his political legacy. I believe in the broad center-right bloc and in the unity of New Democracy, but unity cannot be imposed.”
Finally, in response to a question about the legislative measure regarding non-performing loans, he emphasized that the solution proposed by the government affects approximately 100,000 citizens and leads to a reduction in their debt, amounting to tens of thousands of euros. “We do not speak in words and declarations of love, but through concrete actions. We are implementing a responsible and serious policy, without granting anyone a monopoly on social sensitivity.
The State must consider all perspectives, and regulations must respect court rulings while also taking into account that all citizens are equal before the law—both those with non-performing loans and those who are consistent borrowers.”