By Penelope Galliou

The prime minister’s first post-election interview on Alpha TV contained messages with recipients within the ND but also to society and those who did not choose not to vote for it, in which he evaluated the result of Sunday’s European elections, but also gave the stamp of the his next moves, with a three-year horizon, until the period of government of the ND ends, excluding the possibility of early elections.

And it is possible that the result of the ballot box gave impetus to changes in the government structure as well, igniting the relevant scenarios about restructuring from the first hours after the end of the electoral process, however the prime minister, as the one solely responsible for undertaking this initiative, did not open the doors his papers but on the contrary, he “burned” the scenarios of accelerating the restructuring even within the current week, stating that the meeting of the Council of Ministers, on Friday, will take place with the existing composition, referring to any developments in due course.

The prime minister also answered civilly about whether there is a need for changes of persons. “I will only say that in every change of government there are two options. Or for someone to change responsibility and position or go home. He’s home, he’s not going home, sorry, because I’ve already proven in reshuffles that someone can fulfill his duties as a member of the Parliamentary Group, and not a few colleagues have returned to the government structure,” stressed Mr. Mitsotakis.

However, he hastened to “soften” any removal of ministers from the government scheme, adding in conclusion: “So, removal from the government is not a punishment or a definitive cut off from any government ambition. As it is also clear that not all our MPs can become Ministers. Because otherwise we would have 158, plus me, 157 ministerial chairs”.

And while there are increasing voices within the ND about arrogant attitudes, taking photos of members of the Council of Ministers or as Dora Bakoyannis scathingly spoke of “reeds”, the prime minister referred to the 41% that the ND received during the national elections, and to the critics this effect was also the cause of arrogance. ” 41% was a percentage that the Greek people gave us at one point in time. 41% is 158 seats, it is our parliamentary majority. This, 41%, no longer exists today. And this can be comforting” he declared while in another disgust he added that “if some, therefore, saw the world from too high – 41% is too high -, it is time to see it from a little lower. That’s not bad. I evaluate efficiency and behavior,” he concluded.

For Kyriakos Mitsotakis, even though Sunday’s result was not what was expected, he estimated that it was “better that the citizens sent the message now, because we have three years ahead of us”, he said, interpreting the message of the Euro election as “we trust you, but be better , you better go”.

However, with regard to the political orientation of the ND and a possible shift to the right or the center, the prime minister recommended the work and effectiveness of the government, stressing that “the issue is not whether we will go to the center, to the right, but if we will be more efficient”.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis, taking stock of the government’s work to date and how much this affected the election result, focused on the accuracy that plagues Greek households and committed to greater efficiency in the way specific markets, banks, telecommunications operate, where there may be distortions . We will look more effectively at the issue of housing, such as having another significant amount to run a new “My Home” program, while, as he said, new interventions in short-term rental will also be considered. He underlined the open issues in the matters of the state, he gave special emphasis to the issues of security, but also of everyday life which in all its aspects was and remains a government priority. From increasing incomes to reducing taxes or improving the health system and public transport.

Based on the Prime Minister’s words, the government’s priorities for the next period, at the national level, concern: accuracy, housing, Airbnb. ASEP, health, safety, everyday life – MMM, economy, wage increase, unemployment reduction, investments, revision of benefit policy, continuation of tax reduction. At the same time, at the European level, a priority is the negotiation for the 4 positions of responsibility of the EU, in defense, price issues, agricultural issues and the competitiveness of Europe.