“We should distinguish between the constitutionally enshrined right of citizens to assemble and protest and acts of excess, violence and the destruction of other people’s property. We have experienced such situations in Greece in the past, and I don’t think they solved any problems.
The government is responding in two ways. The first is its work on all fronts — the economy, social policy, foreign policy and defence. The second is dialogue with every social group.”
Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis said this in an interview on SKAI television today, answering a question about the riots in France and other European countries. “The prime minister,” he added, “went to Thessaly. The farmers asked to see him, and he met with them. And rightly so, because we have no quarrel with them. The Education Ministry is doing the same with the 15-member student councils.”
Kostis Hatzidakis noted, however, that countries experiencing riots face a range of problems of their own and are pursuing policies to cut spending. “Whereas in Greece, after everyone’s efforts, we have a policy that has created 600,000 jobs and delivered growth above the EU average. It is wrong, then, to approach the situation complacently, with a Marie Antoinette complex, but it is equally wrong for some to claim that everything is being destroyed and that the country is going backwards.
Ask any of the 600,000 fellow citizens who were unemployed and found work whether they were better off on unemployment benefit under SYRIZA or are better off today.”
Asked about the prospects for coalition governments and Mr Karaoglou’s remarks on the issue, the deputy prime minister said: “This is not the position of either the prime minister or New Democracy.
We have all made our position on this issue very clear. We have said that our goal is an outright majority. Even more so after PASOK, with which we had previously worked together, took a negative position and shut the door at its congress, there are no other credible options.
The other opposition parties are engaged in political mudslinging, both among themselves and against us. We see political theatre, toxicity, insults, excesses and statements in the realm of conspiracy theories. They have forgotten that the main aim of every party is to be part of a government. So our argument that the country needs a stable government and that the national achievements of recent years must not be put at risk under any circumstances depends on securing an outright majority.”