The vice president of the government, Kostis Hatzidakis, was asked by RealNews about the government's planning in the face of the energy crisis and high prices, in his interview published in today's edition.
“Certainly the international energy crisis is a huge problem. We are monitoring it closely and intervening where necessary,” he said.
Mr. Hatzidakis recalled that the government intervened in the spring, when fuel prices soared, and returned when a new escalation occurred, with support continuing until the end of September.
At the same time, he referred to the recent announcements by PPC regarding the blue tariff, noting that its price is at pre-crisis levels, as well as to the initiatives of the Ministry of Environment and Energy to support energy storage from RES, which, as he argued, is linked to better prices for consumers.
Intervention for heating oil
“We will make an intervention from October 1 for heating oil,” the vice president of the government stated.
As he clarified, any support will be given “within the framework of the resilience of the economy and the budget”.
At the same time, he expressed the hope that, if needed, the European Union will proceed with the necessary initiatives, despite the problems in the decision-making process, as it had also done during the energy crisis caused by the Russia-Ukraine war.
The TIF and the policy of benefits
In response to the question of whether the parties have entered a bidding environment, on the occasion of the programs presented at the Thessaloniki International Fair, Mr. Hatzidakis argued that the government refused from the outset to participate in a competition of handouts.
“We leave to others the game of 'give some to me too, uncle'”, he said characteristically.
According to him, the TIF measures announced by the prime minister stem from growth, the curbing of tax evasion, and the fiscal policy of recent years.
“It is a growth dividend of 2.2 billion euros that is returning to society. We are not distributing borrowed money, nor money that does not exist,” he said.
The vice president of the government described this position as the main difference between New Democracy and the opposition, arguing that the government prefers to promise less and implement it, rather than promise everything and then pass the cost on to taxpayers.
Unemployment and social policy
Regarding the unemployment benefit, Mr. Hatzidakis referred to the prime minister's recent statements.
“I have nothing more to add,” he said, at the same time underlining the reduction in unemployment and describing it as “the quintessential social policy”.
At the same time, he referred to policies supporting the truly vulnerable, based, as he said, on good European practices.
Elections in the spring of 2027
In response to a question about the possibility of completing the four-year term, Mr. Hatzidakis repeated the prime minister's position that the elections will be held in the spring of 2027.
“This issue has been settled and there is no point in reopening it again and again,” he noted.
As he said, the government is currently giving priority to three axes: the implementation of the TIF measures, handling the effects of the international crisis, and promoting projects and reforms that have already been launched for the coming months.
The electoral dilemma
Referring to the electoral dilemma, the vice president of the government described it as practical and posed the question of which government can ensure that the successes of recent years will continue and which will have a plan for the challenges of the coming years, such as artificial intelligence and the climate crisis.
He then presented New Democracy's position and criticized the opposition parties, referring to “money trees”, “toxic rhetoric” and “uncosted proposals”.
“And that is why the dilemma in the next elections is hope or adventures. Hope with New Democracy or adventures with the opposition parties or possible governmental instability,” he stated.
Mr. Hatzidakis argued that citizens will compare people and programs and expressed the conviction that they will choose, as he said, a “truly patriotic choice” that will allow the country's upward course to continue.
Self-reliance and collaborations
On the occasion of discussions about government coalitions, the vice president of the government argued that the opposition parties do not want cooperation either with New Democracy or among themselves.
“Our goal is clear: Self-reliance so that Greece has political stability,” he stated.
As he said, this position does not stem from arrogance, but from the assessment that single-party governments function more effectively than coalition governments.
At the same time, he invoked the result of the 2023 elections, noting that a few months before the ballot there were estimates that New Democracy would not secure self-reliance, something that ultimately happened.
The reference to Alexis Tsipras
Regarding former prime minister Alexis Tsipras, Mr. Hatzidakis stated that the opponents of parties are not chosen by the parties themselves, but by society.
Referring to Mr. Tsipras's political course, he argued that he has been tested as prime minister and has been defeated in successive electoral contests by Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
He also spoke of an attempt at “rebranding” and argued that the former prime minister maintains, in his view, the same political positions and promises.
“The last thing the country needs is yet another 'Tsipras adventure',” he said.
The reference to Antonis Samaras
Regarding former prime minister Antonis Samaras, Mr. Hatzidakis noted that he has served under him as minister and respects him.
Referring to attempts to split New Democracy, he argued that historically they had limited appeal and did not have a final result.
“New Democracy is a large and broad faction, from the Right to the reformist Center, and that is its strength,” he stated.
At the same time, he said that parties express social currents and the need to govern the country with a clear program and not, as he said, personal ambitions or bitterness.
Greek-Turkish relations
As regards Greek-Turkish relations, the vice president of the government stressed that Greece is not defined in relation to Turkey.
“We seek calm waters, but we do not make concessions on our sovereign rights,” he said.
At the same time, he argued that in recent years the country has strengthened the Armed Forces, international partnerships, and its geopolitical position.
The Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnection
Finally, referring to the Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnection, Mr. Hatzidakis described it as a European project of strategic importance.
As he noted, Greece is working together with the Republic of Cyprus and the European Union to promote it, while he estimated that the participation of the French company Meridiam strengthens the prospects for the implementation of the project.
ANA-MPA