“The goal of self-reliance is realistic and achievable. Since we have achieved self-reliance twice, since we are 15 points ahead of the second party, despite our wear and tear and despite our problems, which I consider absolutely logical and expected, I believe that pursuing self-reliance is a realistic goal”.
This is emphasized by Kyriakos Mitsotakis, in an interview (to liberal.gr) and he points out that the need for self-reliant governments “is the best choice for the country… There is no alternative proposal for governance at this moment and I see no room for cooperation”.
The elections, the prime minister notes, “will take place at the end of the term, in the spring of 2027. This government has just completed three years since the Greek people honored us with their trust. We still have one more year of work”.
The next four years, until 2030, according to Mr. Mitsotakis, “everything in the world will change. And the question is which government and which Prime Minister is more suitable to manage these great uncertainties and ultimately ensure that Greece will be on the side of the winners”.
The prime minister, when asked whom he chooses as his opponent, states that “the Greek people chose Tsipras as my opponent in the ’23 elections. He disregarded this mandate. He handed over his party to someone who undermined him in order to return with a new party, but with political discourse and political characteristics exactly the same. As for me, I chose as my opponent the problems of Greek citizens and of the country that I am called upon to confront. The Greek people will choose in the 2027 elections. I will continue to speak about the Greece of 2030”.
As regards the opposition, as he says, “the ideological lethargy is inconceivable. Do you have nothing new to tell us? They keep rehashing the same old clichés, which have also been dismantled in practice”.
“Documented and substantive”
Commenting on the intense criticism regarding the government’s foreign policy from Kostas Karamanlis and Antonis Samaras, as well as the accusation they attribute to him of “appeasement,” Kyriakos Mitsotakis underlines:
“It would be good for any criticism to be documented and substantive. This accusation of appeasement, truly, I tell you even on a human level, is completely beyond me, I find it more than unfair”.
Especially regarding the expulsion of Antonis Samaras, as he states, “it became, unfortunately, unavoidable because of what he had said. And, unfortunately, with what he continues to say, it is fully justified”.
Regarding the murder of Vagia Nestora in Thessaloniki, the prime minister stresses:
“They burned a woman, this is not an ‘intervention,’ it is a murderous act. Full condemnation is imperative if we want to protect the acquis of a democracy, where differences are resolved with arguments and not through the use of violence. There is a tendency in political discourse toward expressions that ‘arm’ the hands of those who commit such acts… This government dared to take on these organized groups that were politically beyond reproach”.
Regarding the Recovery Fund, he notes that “it was a very great challenge for the country. In hindsight, as it is coming to an end, I can tell you that it was designed, also by our northern friends, almost in such a way as to make its absorption nearly impossible, because the ‘frugal’ Europeans never loved it. And yet, we succeeded. And when the assessment is made, I believe that it will be extremely positive for the Greek economy”.
In response to a question about the wiretappings, Mr. Mitsotakis says:
“Decisions were made then, responsibilities were assumed, we moved on. We are building an intelligence service that is constantly trying to improve, and the European Union gives us credit on the rule of law. We are improving, despite whatever may be said”.