Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis sent multiple messages regarding the electoral dilemmas as well as Greek-Turkish relations in an interview he gave to SKAI and Alexis Papachelas.

Mr Mitsotakis rejected the dilemma “Mitsotakis or chaos”, calling it “false”. “The dilemma is Mitsotakis or Androulakis, or Konstantopoulou, or Velopoulos,” the prime minister said, stressing once again that he will not compare himself to chaos but to his political opponents, naming the leaders of existing political parties.

At the same time, he insisted on the narrative of the need for political stability. “In an environment of international instability, stability is needed, and a government that understands international balances,” he noted.

I will not change the electoral law

Mr Mitsotakis once again assured that he does not intend to change the electoral law. “I will not change the electoral law; I am not tampering with the rules of the game,” he said, appearing optimistic about the election result. He reiterated that he considers single-party rule by New Democracy achievable.

At the same time, he sought to put pressure on PASOK, saying that “if the Greek people ultimately indicate that they do not want a single-party government, then some form of coalition government will have to be formed. However, the country cannot remain without a government.”

He did not avoid a pointed remark: “I believe that single-party rule is an achievable goal. It is certainly more achievable than PASOK claiming it will be the first party,” he said emphatically.

He also sent a message internally to New Democracy: “A lot of work is needed. We must clearly set out the dilemmas and explain why we want a third term. Not only because we delivered on what we promised in 2023, but because at this juncture stability matters greatly, and there must be a government that understands international realities.”

He underlined the importance of the election, noting that in the second half of 2027, immediately after the elections, Greece will assume the presidency of the European Union. “Who will manage it? Which government? Which prime minister? How will constitutional revision be completed? How will we move toward Greece of 2030? Stability does not mean stagnation. I am claiming single-party rule, and I will continue to say so until the end.”

Ask PASOK whom it wants to work with

Asked whom he would cooperate with if single-party rule is not achieved, Mr Mitsotakis turned the question back on the opposition. “It is more interesting to ask those who say ‘I don’t want Mitsotakis’ but do not say what they do want. They must answer. Do they want to cooperate? Does PASOK want to form a left-wing alliance, as some suggest, to create a front?”

He added that many PASOK supporters who partly agree with government policies are surprised when PASOK becomes “an appendage of Ms Konstantopoulou” and aligns itself with more extreme rhetoric without concrete proposals.

Constitutional revision is an opportunity for substantive positions

Referring to the opening of the debate on constitutional revision, the prime minister said it is “an opportunity for parties to take substantive positions on our proposals”, citing examples such as linking tenure of civil servants to evaluation, including a clause safeguarding fiscal stability so the country never returns to deficit-driven collapse, and amending Article 86.

No need for arbitrators or mediators in Greek-Turkish relations

On relations between Athens and Ankara, Mr Mitsotakis stressed that “there is no need for arbitrators or mediators in Greek-Turkish relations”, while also sending a message to Turkey that “Greece does not need permission from anyone for electricity interconnection projects involving Greek islands”.

Extension of territorial waters is a unilateral right

Regarding the extension of territorial waters, he said the right is “inalienable” and “will be exercised when conditions are appropriate”. He recalled that Greece had not exercised it for decades and did so under his government in the Ionian Sea, stressing that it is a unilateral right and does not require approval.

He noted that referral of the dispute to an international judicial body could be a solution, but added that as long as issues such as the theory of “grey zones”, indirect challenges to sovereignty in the Aegean, and a standing threat of war remain, reaching that point is difficult.

There is only one dispute: EEZ and continental shelf

“I have no illusions,” Mr Mitsotakis said, reiterating that “the major issue, the only dispute, is the EEZ and the continental shelf”. As long as Turkey adds other issues to the agenda, progress remains difficult. He described statements by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan as a positive acknowledgment that Turkey may be reassessing some of its long-standing positions.

He also said that direct dialogue with President Erdoğan is positive, clarifying that discussions go beyond Greek-Turkish issues, and revealed that their meeting will take place before 15 February.

Finally, he noted that Greece “will be at the center of Europe’s next security architecture without undermining our relationship with the United States”.

The remark on Olga Kefalogianni

Asked about the issue concerning the joint custody provision used by Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni, Mr Mitsotakis said the provision “went through the normal parliamentary process” and is correct because it forces a re-examination of custody issues. Regarding Ms Kefalogianni personally, he said it is a personal matter involving children and limited himself to the correctness of the provision, adding pointedly that “when we hold public office, we must pay attention not only to substance but also to perceptions”. He clarified that there will be no consequences for her.

Greece will not ask anyone’s permission for electrical interconnection projects in the Aegean

Commenting on Turkey’s NAVTEX, the Prime Minister reiterated:
“We have a firm position regarding their illegal legal character.”
As he stressed, “Greece will not need to seek permission from anyone if it wishes to proceed with electrical interconnection projects in the Aegean.”

He added that “sometimes entrenched positions are repeated almost mechanically by Turkish bureaucracies,” while noting that “if President Erdoğan wishes to leave this chapter in the past, I would be willing to engage in discussions.”

However, he clarified: “I do not consider this likely under the current circumstances.”
Regarding Kasos, he stressed that “there was no pending issue, nor any fait accompli.”

02/02/2026 – 21:12

The only difference: EEZ and continental shelf

Speaking about Greek-Turkish relations, Mr Mitsotakis noted that “since signing the Athens Declaration, we have achieved significant gains that should not be overlooked.”
As he said, “there has been a significant reduction in tensions in the air,” while also pointing to “good cooperation on migration, fast-track visas for the islands, and the establishment of open channels of communication to defuse tensions if they arise.”

“I harbour no illusions,” he stressed, adding that “the major issue, the sole substantial difference, is the EEZ and the continental shelf.”

The Prime Minister also noted that “the fact that I speak directly with Erdoğan is positive,” clarifying that “we do not discuss only Greek-Turkish issues.”

At the same time, he underlined that “we could consider the issue of a broader regional conference involving Turkey,” stressing that “communication channels must exist.”

02/02/2026 – 21:10

Mitsotakis: Greece has a strategic relationship with the United States

“I do not share these concerns. Greece has a strategic relationship with the US. I have known President Trump since his first term. Our relations are at their best level. It is not only our relationship with President Trump, but also with Congress and other centres of power in the US. I will be travelling to Ankara in the coming days; I do not believe we need a mediator to discuss issues concerning the two countries.”

02/02/2026 – 21:08

When will you meet President Erdoğan?

The Prime Minister announced that his meeting with the Turkish President will take place by 15 February.

He noted that a possible solution could be the referral of disputes to an international judicial body. However, he explained that “as long as the so-called ‘grey zones’ theory remains on the table, as long as sovereignty—not merely sovereign rights—is even indirectly challenged in the Aegean, and as long as a threat of war hangs over us, it is difficult to reach that point.”

“As long as Turkey adds additional issues to the agenda, moving further in this direction is difficult at this juncture,” he added.
He said he views a statement by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan as “a positive acknowledgment that Turkey may be reconsidering some of its longstanding positions or at least not promoting them with the same intensity as in the past.”
He noted, however, that this was followed by reaffirmations of traditional positions by Turkey’s Ministry of Defence.

02/02/2026 – 21:06

Question: Have you received official information regarding a Trump visit to Greece?

Asked to comment on remarks by Kimberly Guilfoyle regarding an upcoming visit by the US President to Greece, the Prime Minister said he is not aware of any such plans.

02/02/2026 – 21:03

On the extension of territorial waters

The Prime Minister reiterated that a possible solution would be referral to an international judicial body, adding:
“But as long as the so-called ‘grey zones’ theory exists, as long as sovereignty—not sovereign rights—is even indirectly disputed in the Aegean, and as long as a threat of war looms over us, it is difficult to reach that point.”

“As long as Turkey continues to add other issues to the agenda, advancing in this direction remains difficult at this time,” he said, while again pointing to Mr Fidan’s statement as a potentially positive sign.

02/02/2026 – 20:21

There is no dilemma of ‘Mitsotakis or chaos’

Reiterating that elections will take place as scheduled in spring 2027, Mr Mitsotakis stressed that the dilemma is not “Mitsotakis or chaos,” but rather “Mitsotakis or Androulakis, Mitsotakis or Konstantopoulou, Mitsotakis or Velopoulos.”
“Chaos is not my opponent,” he said. “My political opponents are.”

02/02/2026 – 20:02

Message to Turkey regarding casus belli

In a teaser aired during SKAI’s main news bulletin, Kyriakos Mitsotakis made clear that as long as the casus belli remains in place, Turkey cannot benefit from European funding under the SAFE programme.
“Despite some doubts, the outcome proved that we achieved our objective,” he added.

02/02/2026 – 19:59

Greek-Turkish relations and energy

The Prime Minister is also expected to address national issues and make special reference to recent energy agreements signed by Greece.

02/02/2026 – 19:45

Key points of the constitutional revision

In his address earlier on Monday morning, the Prime Minister focused on:

• the revision of Article 86 to lift ministerial immunity
• ending the outdated monopoly in higher education through the establishment of non-state universities (Article 16)
• introducing a single six-year term for the President of the Republic
• the participation of judges in selecting the leadership of the supreme courts

02/02/2026 – 19:38

Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ interview on SKAI

Speaking with journalist Alexis Papachelas, Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected to outline his positions on the proposed constitutional revision, while also commenting on domestic political developments, Greek-Turkish relations, and international affairs.