The president of SYRIZA, Stefanos Kasselakis, gave a full-length interview on Antonis Schroiter’s show “Autopsy”. He talked about his personal life and his financial situation, for which he receives shots from the government, but also about his plans if he is elected Prime Minister.
He reiterated his belief that Mr SYRIZA-PS will be the first party in the 2024 European elections, while he mentioned his broader aspirations that he claims two four-year terms in order to implement a large program of reforms that will change Greece.
At the same time, he emphasized that before the European elections he will make public his assets, which he said “you will not be shocked, they are much less than those of Mitsotakis”.
For European elections and the percentages of SYRIZA, he said, “we don’t know if we are now at 17%, there are some polls that give us the same or even a higher percentage and they are also known to Maximos. It is possible and possible to be first party. This is the goal not only for us but for society. Our ideological brand because it is clear, it convinces. With the government there is a small percentage of people who gain but for the majority there is stagnation and insecurity. Her motto should be firmly, boldly, nowhere. The main thing for us is to be authentic and consistent.”
Referring to the international scene, he noted that “we say that the massacre in Gaza must stop, even though we condemn the terrorist attacks. There was no support for Israel from me. “What Iran did is different and what is happening in Palestine is different”. He underlined that “there is no mutation of SYRIZA apart from the structural and organizational one, the party has opened and new people are coming”. He noted that even if it does not achieve the goal of the European elections “I will not regret as long as we are authentic. We will not play with the media. We will not play this game the way Maximou does it.”
He criticized the media saying: “you see I went to Gavdos presented the prime minister’s lies and they didn’t play the video, while they are dealing with false leaks about me”. He also stated that “everyone is fighting SYRIZA”
He referred to the party’s European ballot and the upcoming European elections, saying: “I’m proud of the ballot, it’s the first direct democracy ballot, it’s not chosen by the president to keep balances. We have three people with disabilities that emerged from the primaries, we have representatives of the LGBTI community, and there is also the quota for women, which I am proud to have found and implemented. Europe lacks inspiration and accountability to the European citizen, the EU is seen as a bureaucratic lobby. Accountability is very important. There should be pan-European ballots and the leadership of the Commission should be chosen by the European Parliament. The Europe we want must be green, social, with less austerity. The 2.5% surplus imposed on the country is counterproductive. People have understood that this is a mockery on the part of the government.”
For “own goal with the Papanotas nomination” he replied: “I made a decision based on what I heard and I was absolutely consistent with my views. From then on for us the issue is over. Why does Mr. Mitsotakis keep controversial faces that caress far-right ears? The people must know that the president of SYRIZA will operate based on principles. I’m a leader and I’m also for beers. The president of SYRIZA and their future prime minister, will be approachable, true, down to earth and will represent them with seriousness and robustness and will not betray the national interests”. He criticized the political system saying: “I don’t want to put everyone in one sack , there are also notable parliamentarians and politicians. But there is a political system that discourages young people from getting involved. There will be a great purge if we achieve our goal.” Of his opponents he said that “they are not more disciplined, but they have the system with them. Antonis Samaras at the wedding of same-sex couples offended the world but the media only dealt with him for one day.”
Mr. Kasselakis, after noting that the slogan “fatherland, religion, family is Juntian”, insisted that it does not give away religion and family to the homeland and explained: “are the left-wing citizens less family heads or believers or patriots? Who fought for the homeland. Yes , I am religious but that does not mean that I do not distinguish what I believe from my respect for what the other person stands for. There is a stereotype, that SYRIZA is against tradition At the same time, SYRIZA is in favor of equality and progress. We want to bring progress, with care for the weakest and those who are most in need.”
Regarding the statements about his baptism, he said: “I did not say that there was a miracle in my birth.” In response to a related question, he said: “It is not bad to believe in miracles. I respect the greatness of God, I believe in science, but there are also things that we cannot solve and explain.” Joking and taking a jab at the prime minister, he said: “The biggest wonder is how someone on an MP’s salary can own 42 houses.”
About his relationship with him Alexis Tsipras and in the presence of the former prime minister at the presentation of the party’s European ballot he said: “It did not come without consultation, we had discussed that the announcement of the European ballot would be appropriate. For me, there was never any harm from the attitude of Alexis Tsipras. His post before the Congress was a surprise, but I understand why he wanted to speak in his own way to the party of which he has been the flag. I greatly respect his work as prime minister. On my tour of the Aegean islands, I hear good words about what an excellent job the SYRIZA ministers have done, about the forgiven Santorini, about the hospitals and Polakis, about Kountoura. There is a great deal of good that has been done along with the mistakes. There is no front with Tsipras, we talk, we talked after the Congress and we always had a good relationship and it was shown at the event of the presentation of the MEPs”.
Mr. Kasselakis assured that “We will not betray the common people. With a government of our own there would certainly be no cover-up for Tempi. Why shouldn’t Kostas Karamanlis go to court? Why is ND amnestying him”? He referred to the Health System saying that “they have let it fall apart” and added: “Naxos with so much tourism has only six lifeguards. Should we be spoiled internationally too? ND does not value human life as it should. You see it in ESY, you see it in Tempi, in economic policy. How will a new couple start their life? At the same time, we have the biggest surplus profits in banks and energy companies.
On the subject of security, he said: “a woman is killed outside the Police Department, neo-Nazis are crossing Greece unmolested. How will there be public security? They rule for five years. When we become a government, the world will be able to sleep peacefully.”
Criticizing the political system he said: “You know that the Minister of Economy became a member of parliament from a student. My government will be made up of people who have marks from the economy and society. Or if they have done a good job in and out of parliament”. He said he has people in mind for the future government but stopped short of revealing that “Evangelos Apostolakis will be the next Minister of Defense”.
Regarding his assets, he said: “I have much less than Mitsotakis. I will present it all to the world before the European elections. I started from nothing, with my sword I succeeded. My financial results are those that can be seen in a listed company. I am the politician with the most transparency.” About his critics and his companies in Delaware he said: “Companies are not taxed where they are founded but where they operate. Don’t they know? all they care about is mud. In Greece, if you don’t have a surname and heritage, you don’t go anywhere, and that has to change. When I govern I will be approachable and humane. When you are from a fireplace you have arrogance. Their arrogance is visible when, for example, they say that only ND can serve national interests in Europe. Those who have been condemned by the European Parliament say so, aren’t they ashamed?”
Continuing on the political system he said: “The political system is dirtier than I thought. People don’t hate it for nothing. There is corruption. But it also has cracks. That’s why I’m not afraid, we’re building a movement and I’m optimistic. My big bet is to convince people that we can change. I see politics as a function. I’m not dogmatic. After entering politics I have become more flexible. I would have been disappointed if I had negotiated to achieve something. My mistakes are more tactical than strategic. I’m taking lessons to improve my Greek.”
When asked about his political ambitions, he said that he wants “Two terms, so that we can implement a large program of reforms, to unite all of Greece, to decentralize, to solve the demographic problem. I don’t believe in infinite activity in politics. I will not always be a politician, I believe in renewal. In a period of eight years, one can do a lot of bad things, as they are doing at this moment, and a lot of good things. I’m not one of those who think they were born to rule, I want to be useful and change the political landscape.”
He also noted that “The expatriates did not hear well what the prime minister said ‘about an imported leader’, because it seemed that they consider us imported votes and imported money. It is a bet to unite the expatriates and the Hellenism of Cyprus. The prime minister did not mention Cyprus at the UN, he has abandoned it.”
To more personal questions he said: “I will spend Easter in Corfu. I will go to the church. I always celebrate the Greek Easter. Easter for me is a time of reflection and introspection.”
Asked if anything changed in his relationship after the marriage, he said: “Only the legal framework of the relationship. In the beginning when there was internal party turmoil, it was more difficult. I had tried to keep the party together even with people who hated me. Then the split we had a solid party. I got married in America because it was not allowed in Greece. When I had asked the prime minister at our meeting, he had told me that he would bring the marriage within four years to Bloomberg he had said that he would bring it in time, he answered me that it is a matter of timing”. She noted that she is 36 years old and “aims to adopt children by 40.”
He also mentioned that the presidency of the party “Financially has cost me too much. Now I have no income, nor do I have a salary from the party and on the contrary I offer”. However, he noted: “Don’t pretend, I don’t have a problem, I don’t need to work again. I will last until the end of the four years. But the important thing for people is to know that the one who asks for their trust is honest. Love me, with your heart and be demanding with me. It’s worth giving a person a chance.”
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