In recent days, Kyriakos Mitsotakis has drawn clear lines between New Democracy and the right-wing opposition. He referred to “super-patriots” and “fake patriots,” responding to accusations of government betrayal due to the ongoing Greek-Turkish dialogue. The government also classified Aphrodite Latinopoulou as far-right, linking her politically to figures like Marine Le Pen, Viktor Orbán, and Geert Wilders in Europe.
However, the political landscape is broader and more complex. Mitsotakis is closely watching developments within PASOK, particularly Nikos Androulakis’ efforts to appeal to a more centrist audience, a group that had previously gravitated towards New Democracy, partly through the involvement of Anna Diamantopoulou. Mitsotakis is not just observing but plans to soon present dilemmas to his newly revitalized political opponent.
With SYRIZA in disarray, Mitsotakis is preparing to challenge Androulakis alongside the right-wing opposition in parliament. The first confrontation in this new political dynamic will take place on Wednesday during a parliamentary discussion on natural disasters, prompted by the major wildfire in Attica in mid-August. Androulakis had requested this discussion, and the government agreed in principle, scheduling it after the wildfire season had ended.
The Dilemmas and the Spartans
In any case, the government is waiting to see PASOK’s stance not only on civil protection issues but on various other matters as well. For example, government officials are particularly interested in the party’s position on the Livanios bill concerning changes to ASEP, as well as the appointment of a new Ombudsman, following the veto against Dimitris Sotiropoulos, who had been proposed by the majority.
On another front, according to reports from Protothema.gr, the government is seriously considering accepting PASOK’s amendment to suspend funding for the “Spartans” party. Final discussions are expected between Interior Minister Theodoros Livanios and the Prime Minister ahead of tomorrow’s debate in the plenary session.
The Pending Meeting
Meanwhile, the anticipated meeting between Mitsotakis and Androulakis, proposed by the Prime Minister in a congratulatory phone call to PASOK’s leader last Sunday, is still pending. While the Maximos Mansion (the Prime Minister’s office) is waiting for some gesture from PASOK, PASOK’s headquarters at Harilaou Trikoupi insists that they are awaiting an invitation and are not seeking an audience with the Prime Minister. Despite the technical complexities, both Mitsotakis and Androulakis appear to want to handle the situation institutionally. Mitsotakis aims to address specific issues with PASOK’s leader, while Androulakis sees this as an opportunity to solidify his role as the de facto leader of the opposition.
