Greek Prime Minister speaking on Thursday at an event held for the 30-year anniversary of the operation of the National Center of Public Administration lashed out against the newly elected president of New Democracy, Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

“I would say it is an honour and joy that this event coincides with the launch of a huge reform initiative that the government assumes with the view to meeting a commitment which the citizens and the public administration officers have heard so many times but unfortunately has never come into effect,” Mr. Tsipras said in his greeting speech.

Tsipras called the public administration the country’s “very ill patient” noting that “we must collectively find the way to cure it and to heal the pathogenies. But, in order to succeed, we must have a target, a plan and a vision.”

Mr. Tsipras also lashed out at ND leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis accusing him of appointing his own people when serving as head of the Ministry of Administrative Reform.

“The current president of New Democracy, who claimed the presidency as a great reformer and modernizer, was the one who, by having a key position in Samaras’ government, being the head of the Ministry of Administrative Reform, was the most faithful supporter of neopotism” said Mr. Tsipras adding that he dismissed many public directors in order to appoint his people through non-transparent procedures.

tion.