A few minutes before the clock struck 12 noon, Kyriakos Mitsotakis arrived at the Vellidio in Thessaloniki for the TIF. In good spirits and smiling, he welcomed the journalists who, a few minutes later, would each take their turn to ask questions, giving him the opportunity to talk about the government’s reforms that aim to solve the daily issues facing citizens. The rising cost of living and the economy in general, the housing crisis, and the dissonances in the healthcare system were among the main topics the Prime Minister focused on.
Moreover, these problems were what dissatisfied a segment of the population, and this was evident from the ballot box in June. It is no secret that the percentage achieved by the blue party in the European elections did not satisfy the Maximos Mansion and the Prime Minister personally. However, it was not a bad result, as he wanted to clarify, but rather below expectations. It is, as he said, a ballot that favors protest votes as well as abstention.
Mitsotakis’ Self-Satisfaction
Kyriakos Mitsotakis wanted to appear with an air of confidence, possibly even self-satisfaction, in Thessaloniki. He put to rest scenarios suggesting he was packing his bags for Europe, humorously emphasizing that he is not retiring. “I am the Prime Minister and the leader of New Democracy and I have no intention of retiring,” he noted, but then concluded by saying that “2027 is a long way off. We live in a very unpredictable environment and, as I told you, it is also a bit self-satisfied for me to talk either about myself or to make predictions about what will happen in 2027.”
He did not rule out the possibility of his blue party obtaining a majority in the next national elections. In some of his comments, he expressed the opinion, saying, “I don’t think there is another governance proposal for the country other than the one expressed by the government.” It is a fact, after all, that while the Prime Minister unfolded the thousand-day program, or rather the government’s vision until the end of its term in 2027, all eyes were on SYRIZA.
Jabs at SYRIZA, PASOK
The rapid developments in the opposition party concerned the Prime Minister as well, who asked journalists what new updates were coming from the Koumoundourou front. When he received a related question about the opposition, he was particularly sharp. “SYRIZA is in a state of catatonia,” he said while acknowledging that everyone was waiting for the developments at that moment.
He was also critical of PASOK. As Mr. Mitsotakis stated, “the ‘no to everything,’ the description of a country where virtually all citizens are, I would say, impoverished and destitute, does not fit today’s Greece.” “It would be, therefore, positive for our democracy to have an alternative proposal, but that proposal must be well-structured, substantiated, and costed. Unfortunately, for now, we do not see that,” the Prime Minister noted.
The “I’m Sorry” Regarding the President of the Republic
It would be particularly interesting to know what the President of the Republic was thinking and how she felt when she heard Kyriakos Mitsotakis defending her after a long period of speculation about whether she would renew her term at the Presidential Mansion. The Prime Minister did not hide his discomfort about the circulating rumors lately, especially after the European elections, regarding Ms. Sakellaropoulou’s future.
“I’m sorry for the recycling of this discussion,” he responded in a stern tone. “This discussion will take place in January, and until then I will say absolutely nothing, beyond the fact that I respect and appreciate the President of the Republic. I am saying exactly the same things I said before the elections,” confirming that the occupants of the neighboring buildings on Herodou Attikou continue to maintain excellent relations. In a more personal tone, Mr. Mitsotakis explained that this discussion is unfair both to the person of Katerina Sakellaropoulou and to the institution. “I find it very unfair for both her and the institution that there is an ongoing discussion surrounding the next or the next President of the Republic before its time, and I will ask all of you, I believe, to respect the institution first and foremost,” he stated meaningfully.
Satisfaction for Belegeas
Shortly before the press conference concluded, Kyriakos Mitsotakis also referred to the relations between Greece and Albania, which were tested after the arrest and imprisonment of Freddy Belegeas. The MEP from New Democracy, in fact, was at the Vellidio during the Prime Minister’s speech. Regarding this issue, Mr. Mitsotakis said: “We went through a difficult period, and I do not want to speak in detail about the case of Freddy Belegeas. I want to express my satisfaction for the fact that he was with us at the International Exhibition and that this completely unjust and unnecessary ordeal he suffered has finally come to an end.”
The governmental spokesperson, Pavlos Marinakis, was “keeping time” during the interview, one might say reverently. He emphasized from the outset that journalists need to ask one question to allow time and space for everyone. The interview concluded shortly after 2 hours from its start. When the TV lights went off, Kyriakos Mitsotakis thanked the journalists who were present at the 88th Exhibition, rescheduling their appointment for next year, while emphasizing that the work continues in the government project with the same intensity.