LAST UPDATE: 21.19
By Dimitris Gatsiou
The threshold for New Democracy’s electoral success in the June 9 polls was, for the first time, clearly defined by the prime minister. And this percentage, as Kyriakos Mitsotakis pointed out in his televised interview with “Sky”, is 33.12% of the 2019 European elections.
“The European elections are a national ballot, but they are not national elections that elect a government. Consequently, the measure of comparison is the previous European elections for me, which also took place at a time very close to national elections. At the moment we have a disadvantage and an advantage at the same time. We don’t have national elections or regional and municipal elections. On the other hand, because we have European elections isolated from another national ballot box, it’s much easier to talk about Europe I consider that the logical measure of comparison is the results of the previous European elections”, noted the prime minister. “Ultimately, what interests me is to elect as many MEPs as possible, because the arithmetic the next day matters. Why does it matter? Because a broad alliance must be formed in the European Parliament, I would say, of moderation and logic, to promote the big changes in Europe, for which we are fighting: competitiveness, defense, agricultural issues. Three issues in which Greece can play a leading role”, he noted.
The prime minister kept the stake of stability and continuity at the forefront of yet another public intervention. “The next day New Democracy will be the government again and we will again have the same number of MPs and the same comfortable parliamentary majority…Other parties want to reduce the European elections to a referendum against the government. We will take up this gauntlet. We will say that yes, the political message that will be sent from the ballot box on June 9 must exude stability, certainty and continuity. the same momentum, with even greater momentum, with the same practically recorded correlations, in the implementation of our project,” he said.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis characterized yesterday’s extreme incident in the Parliament as chilling and revealing. “Creepy because the temple of democracy cannot be turned into a boxing arena. And I want to congratulate the Speaker of the House for his very quick reaction, which proved that our parliamentarianism has the institutional counterweights to deal with such extreme behaviors. At the same time , but it was also extremely revealing about what exactly is happening in this area of the far-right “apartment building”. Of course, God make it an “apartment building”, this patchwork of parties that have I think that everyone should think very carefully whether we really want to represent in the national Parliament parties that advocate brutal violence – at a time when we are all talking about the fight against violence – and an intolerant racist discourse, which all it does is spread division and sometimes hatred,” he pointed out.
“The Spartans were excluded from the electoral process by a decision of the Supreme Court, which “steps” on a regulation that was voted for and supported by the New Democracy. It supported it in parliament and also through memoranda, when some others forgot to submit them… I also mention to SYRIZA because fascism and what it stands for cannot be fought with words alone. It must be faced with actions and we were on the right side of history in this case,” noted the Prime Minister.
At the same time, in his interview, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, among other things, emphasized:
– The commercialization of the Christian faith as if there is some “Christian meter” and the veiled threats, exhortations, basically, those who may have made a specific parliamentary choice not to visit the churches on Easter days. These are unacceptable divisive statements. Under no circumstances can these people claim to represent Christianity and faith. I think they got very harsh but, I would say, correct and substantiated answers from the Church itself.
– Anyone who saw exactly what happened yesterday in the Parliament, understands, I think, and reaches conclusions as to whether these parties can claim to be authentic expressions of faith and patriotism. Because we talk a lot about “responsible patriotism”. There are many “jalanji” patriots, of fresh water. But after all, patriotism is a difficult exercise, which is proven in deeds and not in easy words…
For safety:
– I have complete trust in Justice and the guilty physical and moral perpetrators will be punished wherever they are. We have the political will with the above not only supporting the effort. But also taking on difficult decisions such as closing stadiums… For the first time we are modestly optimistic that we will end fan violence…
– I faced the issue of the murder of the 28-year-old Sunday with great sadness and with great anger. And I’ve said it all went wrong. It was a tragedy what happened and it was also an incident of great awakening for everyone. For the state, for how to make things better, but also for women to be able to feel comfortable reporting these incidents… In memory of Sunday we must do things faster… Every tragedy is a opportunity to reflect on what we can do better…
For economy and accuracy:
-Accuracy is a big problem and especially persistent food inflation and I know there are households that are being tested…Wages are up, taxes are down significantly and we have more disposable income. Emergency aid is available with an emphasis on the most vulnerable…
-The better the economy does the more wages will rise and ultimately this is the permanent answer to the accuracy problem…
-We will present the e-consumer in an improved version where the consumer will enter and see for 3,000 codes which supermarket has the lowest price… We will not stop the checks and if there are additional measures that can bring results they will apply with great enthusiasm…
For Tempi:
-Going back in time, surely some things could be done differently. And I’m mainly referring to the communication and the tolerance we showed to the various conspiracy theories that unfortunately took root and convinced a large part of our fellow citizens…
For the possibility of restructuring:
-You have discounted the transformation so many times that at some point you will achieve it. But it’s not currently something I have in mind. In my mind I have the election contest and all executives are joining in this effort. And I think we have an advantage because it is a rallying election. These are elections where we must go and talk to our fellow citizens who voted for us in the previous elections and may now have misgivings, sorrows and tell them: now is not the time to express them. Let’s put any small complaints aside because the big picture is important, which is continuity, stability and ultimately what role we can play in Europe. This is the main issue of the European elections.
-I feel the two former prime ministers next to me. I cannot imagine that there is a leader of the New Democracy, who has been honored by the people to become prime minister precisely because he is the president of the New Democracy, who does not want the best possible result for the New Democracy in any election. The same is true now.
For the S-300 or Patriot in Ukraine:
-Greece is not going to send Ukraine either S-300 or Patriot. We were asked and explained why we can’t do it. Greece has supported Ukraine in various ways, with defense material. But we have said from the first moment that we cannot dispose of weapons systems which are critical to our deterrent capability. We have surplus material with which we can support Ukraine, we have done so and I think it is the right choice. And, to the extent that we can find such material, we will continue to do so. However, the air defense systems you referred to are critical systems for the protection of Greek airspace and will not be granted to Ukraine.
Tags: Mitsotakis set bar European elections
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