“The stronger PASOK and the democratic faction is, the greater the threat New Democracy will feel and the next day the people will have a strong, serious opposition, but also a strong government choice for the next national elections.”

This was the message of the president of PASOK-Movement of Change Nikos Androulakis from Chania, starting his tour of Crete.

Mr. Androulakis, who is accompanied by MEP candidates and party officials, during his visit to parts of the city, which was also attended by the mayor of Chania Panagiotis Simandirakis, met with citizens and talked with them.

“I want to wish everyone a happy birthday. As you understand there are less than five weeks left until the election. For us, the elections are crucial because we firmly believe that there must be a serious and strong opposition in the country. It is the only way for there to be the voice of reason, of progress against a government that is escalating its arrogance. As long as New Democracy does not feel a serious political threat, things will get worse for the Greek people, because quite simply they will not prioritize public health, public education, accuracy. For everything there will be the answer of 41% and that is why I am asking here from Crete, my special homeland, that there be a double message of disapproval, against what has happened in the place in the last year. And I am talking about the cover-up of serious scandals, the tragedy of Tempe, the accuracy that is not dealt with but escalates, against an economic policy that Mr. Mitsotakis considers successful. But how can economic policy be successful when the people it governs have the worst purchasing power in the entire eurozone? Against all this, a response of disapproval and at the same time strengthening of the democratic faction is needed. The stronger PASOK and the democratic faction is, the greater the threat New Democracy will feel and the next day the people will have a strong serious opposition and a strong government choice for the next national elections,” said Mr. Androulakis.

Also, regarding Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s move to operate the Hora Monastery, in Istanbul, as a mosque and the reaction of the Greek government, he said: “Four days before Mr. Mitsotakis met Mr. Erdogan, Erdogan inaugurated as a mosque the Monastery of the Country. And today the prime minister characterizes this unacceptable action, downgrading it, as an unnecessary action. We believe that it was a dangerous act against European values, against another world heritage monument of world culture, another provocative action by Turkey and Mr. Erdogan, and in fact, when we already know the effects that the experts are talking about and have happened in Hagia Sophia, when it was converted into a mosque”. According to the president of PASOK, there is one more issue: “Were we surprised by this action of Turkey? It was a declared act from the summer of 2020. What did Mr. Mitsotakis and the leadership of the European Union do to prevent this provocative action? Nothing. So they have to understand that as long as they flirt with the sultan, these will be the results. Turkey needs a holistic response and it cannot be other than sanctions, when it violates human rights, sovereign rights of neighboring countries and when it does not respect world heritage monuments, such as Hagia Sophia and the Monastery of Chora”.

The president of PASOK is currently visiting the city’s Open Trade Center, which is currently being formed, while in the afternoon he will meet with party officials and its secretariat in Chania.

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