The developments in SYRIZA and the PASOK dominated the interview of the Minister of State Maki Voridisto starting, of course, with the re-election of Nikos Androulakis.

The government was neither happy nor saddened by this fact, noted the Minister of State in his introduction, recalling, moreover, that the increase in participation in PASOK was not spectacular (s.s. referring, obviously, to the first round).

However, the result of the ballot, according to Mr. Voridis, is that “Nikos Androulakis’ course up to now is approved”. In addition, “Mr. Androulakis, in relation to the other candidates, was the one who had a record as president of PASOK. The course, choices, tactics and strategies made by Mr. Androulakis have been approved. We don’t expect anything spectacularly different, it will continue on the path it has set out”, was M. Voridis’ assessment.

And, at a later point in the interview, the Minister of State emphasized that “the prime minister will behave, as always, institutionally. The prime minister looks at the strength of the parties, as determined by the correlations of the parliamentary elections. At the moment we speak, the official opposition is SYRIZA. We’re watching what’s happening in SYRIZA, I think everyone.”

“The prime minister is obliged to respect the institutional order and he will respect it, he cannot do anything different. Official opposition is what it is, for now. The polls do not change the institutional relationship,” he emphasized.

Mr. Voridis clarified that “the communication with Nikos Androulakis does not mean that the prime minister is turning a blind eye to someone, it is a self-evident move of political decency”. He also stated that “even in very difficult times, I have listened to the invitations that the Prime Minister has publicly addressed to Mr. Androulakis”.

After all, he added, “there is the institutional cooperation of the parties in the Parliament, there are decisions that require an increased majority, which means a minimal possibility of cooperation, for example for the placement of the independent authorities”. Parenthetically, he clarified that “a simple majority is sufficient for the Presidency of the Republic”. While for the general framework, he insisted that “it is important that the parties can agree on the persons, and there everyone will be counted”. In the end, it will be “a first crash test for Mr. Androulakis and the way he will be in politics, these issues will also be”.

“We do not comment on the internal affairs of SYRIZA, even though the temptation is great”

Regarding SYRIZA, Mr. Voridis said that “we will address any SYRIZA member in his capacity, in accordance with what is stipulated in the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament”. When asked to comment on his internal affairs, he stated:

“We have said not to comment, even though the temptation is great. Because the internal party process is ongoing and they also have their conference, we have said not to comment on internal party matters.” He pointed out, however, that he does not feel sorry for the situation in which SYRIZA has found itself. “It is the honor of his political stance throughout the previous period,” the Minister of State asserted.

Moving away from the issues that concern the opposition parties, the interview turned to the issues facing the government. Here, the Minister of State’s comment was that “the reality is that at this moment – at least that’s how I interpret it – the citizens know that for every issue they have, for every issue they face, they turn to the unique, powerful and organized pillar that currently exists in the political system, which is the government. This has its good, that it is the only pillar, on the other hand, the expectation is huge and the possibility of not being able to fulfill everything, obviously creates a feeling that “we did not proceed as we should”.