Stavros Theodorakis gave an interview to Antonis Panoutsos and talked about his decision to form a party, the challenges and the voters. Read the highlights of the interview.

– How the hell does someone decide to make a party?

“I was in Leros shooting one of my last shows and when I returned to my hotel a group of young people – university graduates- was waiting for me. They were living on the island. And although they were smiling and having fun, they had a pessimistic attitude about their future. I remember hearing them saying “everything goes wrong in our country and no one does anything”, “no one hears us”, “all parties do whatever they want to serve themselves”. These were young people in a deadlock, like most of Greek people”.

– I am not convinced a lot by this answer. When a man is 50 years old, he does not turn his back on a successful career because some students do not know what to vote.

“I had thought about engaging in politics some times in the past. Usually when I watched the parties’ leaders. I remember an interview of Alexis Tsipras in “Vima” saying his things and when he was asked: “Well, and how you are going to put pressure on Europe?” he replied “But, Greece is the strongest energy partner of Europe. We are the power of the energy zone of southeastern Mediterranean”! The same argument used by some people to say that there is no need to do anything in our country, that our grandparents were looking for pounds, we will drill oil wells and live like pashas,”.

[…]

“I started talking about me engaging in politics with close friends. For instance, if I was drinking coffee with Panoutsos I would ask him “what would you say if we run for elections?” Most of the journalists tried to discourage me saying that this will destroy my life and my career and that no one will vote me. However, other people outside the journalist field told me to “go ahead and try it”.

– What about the rumour saying that the party was named after the Potamos publishing house of Anastasias Lamprias, daughter of Takis Lambrias, manager of “Mesimvrinis” and a close associate of Constantine Karamanlis?

“This is not true. This is just a silly rumour. I just liked the name and I stuck on it.

[…]

“During this period I was really annoyed with everyone, with Tsipras who will drill oils and the government talking joyfully about the surplus and appointing former political losers in organizations.”

“Then I decided to officially inform more friends about my choice. First I talked to my journalist team. And I kept notes about who would be or is my “ally”. These were people who did not believe in parties and wanted to do something for the country.

– But you didn’t ask politicians. Not even Simitis with whom people say you are buddy?

“I haven’t seen Simitis for years, the last time I saw him he was a prime minister. I have no intimate relationship with him”.

– Any other politician?

“I didn’t ask anyone”.

– And how you would find people for your ballot paper?

“I had most of people in my mind. Then I thought among those around me, who would be able to help me in this effort…?”

– Let’s say that during the elections people go crazy, everybody wants Theodorakis and “To Potami” gets 25% . Will you go for elections or wait?

“I will wait to form my party. It will take some months. Afterall, it’s quite funny to ask for elections immediately when you have been elected. This has become a joke in Greece.”

– And what is your threshold for the failure?

“I would say, if you get 5% , just go home.”

– You are very straightforward, aren’t you?

“Would you prefer me to say that without me you are lost – as some other politicians say? So, move aside, please and let someone else try”.

– Today’s poll gives you 11%. Who are those who give this percentage to “To Potami”?

“I’ll tell you who they are. There are far more women than men, that’s for sure. Women are more sensitive than men. Young people who are tired seeing the same politicians over and over. However, it seems that we are not very popular to people over 55.”

– Poor or rich?

“When I was at the airport of Corfu and I was trapped there for one day because of flight delays, cleaning women came and told me “Keep going, we are supporting you”. But, therewere also ladies with expensive handbags.

– Did “To Potami” change anything?

“I think that it has changed a little bit the behavior of the old parties. Remember what kind of people used to be included in the ballots. Party members mainly. And when “To Potami” appeared and said “ we want new people in the game”, New Democracy takes Amyras and SYRIZA takes Kouneva. Because, ballot papers should be consisted of real people, common people”.

They asked for static control adequacy for the tents !

The tents cost 63 euros each and will be used instead of the usual electoral stands.

For the amusement park in Ellinikos, where a 13-year-old boy was killed a few days before, no one asked to submit the necessary documention on safety measures.

For the tent, though, that would serve as electorate stand and “To Potami” wanted to set it in Kifissia, the Police Department of the area requested static control adequacy certificate, certified by a civil engineer.

Static control adequacy certificate