On Monday morning, Adonis Georgiadis expressed the view that Nikos Tsoutsias’ statement that New Democracy is “a little bit LAOS” does not represent Antonis Samaras, but rather reflects Tsoutsias’ own position.

Speaking on SKAI radio, Georgiadis was particularly critical of Tsoutsias, saying: “He doesn’t have much talent for interviews. If he is going to be the spokesman, I don’t see things going well for the president. He is a poor choice as a representative — a nice guy to collect your press releases, but not someone to represent you. What he said is extremely offensive to us, but most importantly, it is offensive to Antonis Samaras. In practice, the LAOS figures entered New Democracy under Samaras. For Tsoutsias to say this while representing Samaras is somewhat ridiculous.”

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Saying that he has “respect, love and gratitude” for the former prime minister, the New Democracy vice president added: “I would not want to believe that we will reach a civil war in which we end up saying nonsense to one another.”

“The most important thing is not to lose our common sense. Tselentis responded to me yesterday — he was a candidate with Kammenos in 2012. So, judging from Tsoutsias and what followed, Samaras appears to be turning against the Samaras of 2012. Samaras attacking the Samaras of 2012 and using those who attacked him in 2012 to attack us simply doesn’t work,” Georgiadis added.

“One issue is resentment. I don’t get involved in these matters because everyone has their own standards and measures things accordingly. In an argument, everyone bears responsibility for their own side. I consider personal dislike of someone to be an insufficient basis for political confrontation,” Adonis Georgiadis concluded regarding Antonis Samaras.

Georgiadis on ERT

Speaking later on ERT, Georgiadis said of Tsoutsias: “He crossed the line and exposed Antonis Samaras. His entire interview was an insult to Mr. Samaras. When Tsoutsias, exploiting the Samaras name, accuses Mr. Mitsotakis of turning New Democracy into ‘a little bit LAOS,’ the three of us [who were associated with LAOS] came into New Democracy under Samaras.

“When he talks about ‘Simiti’s PASOK,’ Samaras — rightly — governed in coalition with PASOK and shared power with PASOK, so politically it is unfounded to base criticism of New Democracy on that. Who appointed Stournaras governor of the Bank of Greece? Antonis Samaras — and he was proven right. It is as if he is saying that the Samaras of the past got everything wrong.”

“I said that if the Samaras party comes into being, the proper thing would be for both sides to observe rules of good conduct toward each other, without forgetting our political memory. Mr. Tsoutsias has started this effort on the wrong foot. I believe that Mr. Samaras, with his experience, will correct it.”