The Prime Minister is expected to comment on the election results, scenarios for a reshuffle, and the government’s priorities for the upcoming period.
Speaking on ALPHA with Antonis Sroiter.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kopfeaVEw3I&t=24s
On the Cabinet Reshuffle
The current cabinet will remain unchanged. During any government reshuffle, there are two options: either someone changes responsibilities and position, or they leave (apologies for the expression) and fulfill their duties as a member of the parliamentary group. Not all MPs can become ministers.
“I am not interested in being a Prime Minister who has simply managed things by the end of my term. I have received a different mandate. We set the bar of expectations high, and we will not lower it.”
On the Mandate from the European Elections
“We will not face an issue of early elections. The elections will take place in 2027; we have a strong majority. I believe in a full four-year term. I will not hit the brakes; the citizens have asked us to accelerate.”
Kasselakis: Launching an Anti-Extremist Foundation in Greece and New York
On Voter Turnout
“There is fatigue, and we need to find ways to increase participation. For me, these were the seventh elections since 2019: five national ballots, two European elections, and two local elections. People are tired, and we failed to mobilize the European dimension, leading some to think, ‘I won’t ruin my weekend…'”
On Kasselakis’ Asset Declarations
“We need to do better communication work over a 5-year span about Europe and what happens there.
“Everyone made an effort, I ran a lot, some perhaps less, and I will evaluate that. It proved we could have run more. It’s my duty to travel across Greece. Regarding asset declarations, we did not initiate this discussion. If Mr. Kasselakis had submitted it six months ago, as required, there would not be this discussion.”
Regarding political contention, I didn’t perceive matters such as Tempe and wiretapping as influential in the election outcome. I don’t deem them as pivotal. Moreover, a politician who championed legal matters didn’t secure the top position. Despite competing against a youthful and inexperienced politician, he landed in third place and missed his target of second.
When the task at hand is constructing hospitals, it transcends ideological politics. The same principle applies when tackling monopolistic behaviors and day-to-day concerns. These are issues that resonate with the populace.
On Northern Greece
“The strength is more concentrated in Northern Greece, which I have paid attention to. The problem (regarding far-right parties) is focused there.”
On the 41%
“It represents our parliamentary majority. It no longer exists today. I saw the world from a very high perspective; now it’s time to see it from a lower one, which is not bad. At an unsuspecting time, I mentioned that I evaluate behaviors.”
On Political Controversy
“I did not feel that issues like Tempi and wiretapping played a role in the election outcome. I do not consider them decisive. And a politician who emphasized legal issues failed to be first. Against a new and inexperienced politician, he came third and failed to achieve his goal of coming second.
“When we need to build hospitals, it is not ideological politics. The same applies when addressing monopolistic practices and daily issues. These are the concerns of the people.”
On Taxation of Freelancers: “We may have used the wrong language at times. There will only be targeted corrections to the law.”
On Inflation: “We won’t make panic-driven moves. New measures to combat inflation are coming. We’re starting to see a decrease in prices, but we’re not satisfied and need to intensify efforts.”
On the Opposition’s Performance: “The opposition was unanimously rejected. They promised 45 billion euros and received 14%. The public has rejected easy solutions and the idea of ‘money trees’; our country is not fertile ground for such notions.”
On Voter Engagement: “Some citizens weren’t convinced of the importance of the elections, while others wanted to send us a message earlier. I received the messages about inflation and the deep state’s issues and saw the problems before the elections.”
Same-sex couples We don’t have any issue at all with adoption and changes in the said law. And perhaps I couldn’t communicate it as I should have. We did what is fair and right, disappointing traditional voters. ND suffered political damage from the law concerning same-sex couples. For an issue that concerned very few of our fellow citizens, we debated for a month as if there was nothing else in the news.
Acknowledging the Message: “I want to show in my way that I have received the message. It’s better that we got the message now, and I will take corrective actions, the result was not the desired one.
