Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis reiterated the government’s determination to press ahead with the Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnector, sending a message to those questioning the government’s handling of the project in an interview with Eleftheros Typos. He also expressed optimism that New Democracy could win an outright majority at the next general election.
An outright majority is achievable
With the election approaching, Mr Hatzidakis said an outright majority was an achievable goal, despite the public fatigue that comes with seeking a third term. He said New Democracy had the advantage in its record, in comparisons between party leaders and in the calibre of its personnel.
Criticising his political opponents, he predicted that ‘they will stick to this approach of outbidding one another with campaign promises right to the end’.
‘We believe this works much better electorally than “we’ll build you bridges when there are no rivers, and we’ll even make rivers for you”. An outright majority did not look achievable in 2019, first of all. Tsipras then — Mr Tsipras — was unbeatable. Do you remember? He was never going to lose to Mitsotakis. He lost, and by a clear margin’.
‘The economy’s stronger performance allows two things, among others. First, some people who were unemployed have found work and are therefore facing the consequences of the crisis less harshly than they would have if they were, as they were under Tsipras, claiming unemployment benefit’, Mr Hatzidakis said.
Responding to criticism that New Democracy had lost its ideological identity, as well as to interventions by Antonis Samaras, the deputy prime minister said:
‘New Democracy is moving with the times and with political and economic developments, while maintaining a line of responsibility and seriousness, as Konstantinos Karamanlis envisaged. That is why it remains standing’.
He said a party that won 40% and 41% at the last two elections could not be said to have lost its soul. On internal ‘discord’, he added pointedly: ‘We are not little Gaïtis figures, all identical. First of all, dialogue and differing opinions are welcome, as long as they do not cross certain lines’.
Measures to tackle high prices
On the issue of high prices, Mr Hatzidakis said: ‘I will never tell you that any initiative by our government, or by any European government, is enough to address this enormous international problem’.
He also defended the government’s measures — the household basket, pay rises and rent refunds — and explained that ‘the economy’s stronger performance allows two things: unemployed people can find work, and the finance ministry has more money to ease the impact of the crisis’.
On calls for additional support, Mr Hatzidakis was clear: ‘We must be serious and responsible. The memories of the past decade are still fresh. The country must not slide back’.
The cable will go ahead
On the electricity cable and energy projects, the deputy prime minister rejected opposition criticism. He cited the agreement on Sinai, which was approved by all the Orthodox Patriarchates and the Church of Greece, despite domestic opposition.
He emphasised the government’s strategy, saying: ‘We are moving ahead without conducting foreign policy for domestic consumption, without shouting or uproar, and we will proceed in the same way on the cable. Those questioning the government’s policy would do well to wait’.
Revelations about tax-evasion networks
On recent revelations about extensive tax-evasion networks and illicit money, Mr Hatzidakis said ‘this is not something that started recently’, adding that ‘we have not only now, in recent days and with the election approaching, started moving in this direction’.
He cited earlier successes by AADE, including millions of euros in fines for mobile phone companies and online shops, demolitions in Mykonos, and police operations alongside AADE ‘against networks operating at petrol stations or involved in cigarette smuggling’.
All of this, he said, is ‘part of an ongoing effort to bring as much order as possible, by strengthening both the government’s technological and legal arsenals’.
In closing, Mr Hatzidakis outlined his expanded role, which includes coordinating the economic ministries, liaising with the parliamentary group and drafting the party’s new programme.
He identified the country’s adaptation to new technological challenges as a central goal, saying: ‘We are exploring innovative solutions. This is all the more necessary now, because the future is coming at us fast, and the words Artificial Intelligence alone are enough to show us the need to be prepared and make the adjustments required. We need to pick up the pace and make Greece a pioneer in the years ahead’.
Source: ertnews.gr