“I have been in New Democracy since I was 18 years old and I am a supporter of the big, broad New Democracy. ND's supporters, over time and regardless of who the leader is, go with the flag and the party. It is our obligation, as the leadership team, always to listen to ordinary citizens, party officials, MPs, and to keep our arms open. We must not take any voter for granted. The ballot boxes in every election are empty. That is why we must be serious, modest, and effective”.
These remarks were made by the Vice President of the Government, Kostis Hatzidakis, in an interview today on Parapolitika FM radio, and he added: “I would be saddened if anyone were absent from tonight’s event, especially Kostas Karamanlis, a politician whom I personally esteem, love, and who has honored me with his trust. I do not want to downplay it, nor say that we should not make efforts, as we head to the elections, for the image to be even more unifying. However, he stressed, regardless of all this, New Democracy's supporters steadily remain with the party”.
The Vice President of the government noted that New Democracy is holding up despite the fact that it has been at the helm of the country for 8 years and mistakes have inevitably been made. “In all the polls, ND is far ahead. The second and third parties combined get lower percentages than ND. Which means that a significant portion of public opinion has viewed positively the work, the personality of the leader, and ND’s leadership team. To put it in football terms, what one sees on the field on one side is a lined-up team with Mitsotakis as captain. And on the other side, various formations that do not make up a full eleven, cannot find their footing, and do not give the impression of a team. This image is dangerous for us as well, if we assume that the unreliability of our opponents solves our problem. Because in that case, the citizen himself may become the opposition. That is why modesty, seriousness, work, acknowledgment of mistakes, and correcting them where feasible are needed”.
Asked about the issue of inflation, Kostis Hatzidakis said: “On average, inflation is at the EU average and the government is responding with measures like those adopted by the other European governments: with inspections, fines, benefits, and support for the vulnerable, interventions in industries and supermarkets. We have chosen a method – cuts in direct taxes, increases in wages and benefits - that ensures that the money given by the state will reach the consumer’s pocket and will not be lost among intermediaries. Because the consumer does not care whether the money goes into the left or the right pocket, what matters to him is the result.” And he added: “In the last month, on food we were among the four countries of the European Union with negative inflation. I do not deny the problem; what I am saying is that it is international. Let anyone point out to us a country in Europe that has eliminated the problem, so that we too may adopt such policies. In the next period we should focus mainly on 2 sectors: housing - rents, because that is where a lot of household money goes, and fuel”.
“We all come from the people, we have elections ahead of us, and we are interested in having the best result. But at the same time, because we are the government of the country and because this country has suffered greatly from populism and excesses, we must remain within certain limits of responsibility. We must not forget the European fiscal rules, the limits of our treasury, and the real capabilities we have,” the Vice President of the government noted and concluded:
“There are certain constraints that no country can exceed. Hence Italy’s letter, similar to the one sent by Mitsotakis, telling the European Commission that we need greater flexibility. As happened during the coronavirus period as well. Europe, not only on this specific issue but more generally, reacts at the last moment, when things reach the point of no return. Therefore, there will be further discussions”.