The reaction of government sources was caused by a comment from the environment of the Mayor of Athens and candidate for the presidency of PASOK, Haris Doukas, about the choice of Apostolos Tzitzikostas by the prime minister for the position of Commissioner in the EU.

In particular, earlier circles of Mr. Duke commented “When in 2015 the Regional Governor of Central Macedonia Apostolos Tzitzikostas was a candidate for the leader of New Democracy, there was no problem. When today, one year after his election, he is appointed by Mr. Mitsotakis as a Commissioner in the EU, there is no problem for the ND as well.”

“When, of course, the Mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas, claims the presidency of PASOK by election (not appointment), the ND and its arms in the media grow up and attack every day. Hypocrisy, but not only… There is also fear here,” said the Mayor’s associates.

“Everyone understands that ND has reasons not to want Haris Doukas as President of PASOK. But only the democratic citizens and not Maximos will decide on that,” they conclude.

With a scathing comment, government sources responded to the reports of Mr. Doukas’ associates, saying:

“The Mayor of Athens, who is almost never in his Municipality, ignores his 2 main differences with Mr. Tzitzkostas:

First, that he himself has been mayor for a few months, while Mr. Tzitzikostas has been a regional governor for 10 years, with election rates of over 60% in 3 electoral processes.

Second and more important, that Mr. Tzitzikostas will resign as regional governor, while Mr. Doukas has already discounted that he will be a two-seat candidate if elected.”