Clarifications regarding her statements on abortions, which caused an uproar, were given in an interview by Maria Karystianou, as she announced the creation of her party before the summer.

At the same time, she declared that she stands “opposite all politicians,” distributing criticism in every direction.

On Zoe Konstantopoulou: I see her in courtrooms, but that’s as far as it goes. Politically, we have nothing to discuss. For a period, she was also my lawyer.

On Nikos Androulakis: His stance on the wiretappings surprised me. He did not push to find out why he was being monitored. It was an issue concerning democracy more broadly. For what reason did Mr. Mitsotakis have to listen to everyone? So when, even as opposition, you don’t do certain things, it creates second and third thoughts about the reasons you don’t…

On Kyriakos Velopoulos: He has not made me a cooperation proposal. Other politicians have… His stance on the wiretappings and regarding Mr. Rammos surprised me; he supported the government. Wrongly. Certain points show the image and what is hidden behind it—the substance.

On Alexis Tsipras: “As a citizen, I am confrontational toward all memorandum-era prime ministers. A man who represents the Left pursued a policy that represents the Right… Actions and deeds weigh much more than words. People will turn their backs on the entire system. No matter what clothes the system wears, it is the same. I believe people will not fall for it again. He published a book and blamed his associates. Shifting responsibility shows that someone is weak.”

No one will take away a woman’s human right to control her body

Speaking to Open, Maria Karystianou took a step back regarding abortions, saying that “no one will take away a woman’s human right to control her body” and that the relevant law has been in force for years. However, she argued that a public dialogue is needed on the social issues connected to the matter. She cited figures, stating that in Greece there are “200,000 to 300,000 abortions annually,” compared to about 70,000 in Italy, 100,000 in Germany, and 225,000 in France. According to her, the high numbers “reflect the level of social care and healthcare,” and the issue is “what we, as a society, are doing to reduce this number.”

“They offered me the Ministry of Justice”

Ms. Karystianou also claimed that she was offered—through intermediaries—participation in a government, even the Ministry of Justice, an offer she said she immediately rejected. She stressed that “we cannot cooperate with active politicians” and that the new party will be announced “before the summer,” with its name still under discussion.

As she maintained, the initiative is supported by volunteers, without financiers, and will be presented with “transparent funding” and a program which—according to her—will be “caring toward society and democratic.”

Party announcement before summer – “The name is giving us a hard time”
Regarding when she will officially announce the party, Maria Karystianou stated: “When we believe the moment is right and of course when we are ready, it will be announced,” and when asked whether that would be before summer, she replied: “Before summer. Then we will be fully ready and afterward we will assess the circumstances and act accordingly.” Concerning the name, she said: “The name is giving us a hard time. We can’t decide.”

On the polls

Regarding opinion polls, she said she questions the picture they present. She also criticized former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, stating that “actions are heavier than words.”

For Zoe Konstantopoulou, she noted that she meets her in court without political cooperation, while for Nikos Androulakis she expressed concern about his stance in the wiretapping case. She also mentioned that other politicians have proposed cooperation to her.

Ms. Karystianou criticized Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis, saying she would like a public debate with him. She argued that the situation in hospitals is “much worse” compared to 2008–2009, when she worked as a doctor, accusing the political leadership of focusing on communication management instead of substantive solutions.

“Extreme positions do not represent me at all”

“Extreme positions do not represent me at all. I am in favor of justice, equality, equality before the law, in favor of the values missing from my life. To label someone as a religious fanatic because you did a photoshoot where religious icons appear shows a lack of arguments and fear toward me,” Ms. Karystianou responded when asked whether she is far-right.

On the photos with religious icons

She admitted she has a spiritual father and said that this is not a bad thing. “Many people have a spiritual father, and everyone tries to be a good, moral, and honest person. These are not bad things,” she noted, adding that she has seen politicians attend church services and cited the example of Adonis Georgiadis visiting her favorite monastery in Mandamados, Lesvos. The prime minister does as well, she added.

“To comment on a person because they did a photoshoot with religious icons behind them shows a lack of arguments and fear. I have a spiritual father, but I don’t consider that bad—many people have one and go to church. These are not bad things. We have seen politicians go to churches. We saw Mr. Georgiadis visit my favorite monastery, and good for him. The problem with me is that they need to put a label on me, to characterize me in some way so that people move away from me. What happened—and is unmanageable for the political system and unprecedented for Greek data—is that people united. I am an ordinary person who lost my child who happened to be on that train, and suddenly my neighbor stood by me to help seek justice for my child, and I went out into the streets to help so that nothing bad would happen to his child. This connection is what frightens them. We are willing to change the status quo so that it works in favor of the citizen.”

On high prices

Regarding the cost-of-living crisis, she said that “a salary only lasts for the first 15 days,” describing personal financial difficulties in the past. At the same time, she commented on a video in which, as she said, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis urges students to seek a better future abroad, expressing her disagreement.

“I like to see people believe in something spiritually higher”

“I like to see people believe in something spiritually higher and not worship money and power. There is a need by some to put a label on me, to characterize me somehow so that people distance themselves from me,” she added, stressing that what has happened—and is unmanageable for the political system—is that people have united.

“I am an ordinary person who lost her child, and it could have been anyone’s child because they happened to be there by chance. Suddenly my neighbor stood by me to help seek justice for my child, and I went out into the streets to help prevent something bad from happening to his child. This connection created in society frightens them,” Ms. Karystianou emphasized.