By Despina Vlepakis – By Yannis Anifantis

The meeting between Mitsotakis and Androulakis lasted an hour and a quarter, at the Prime Minister’s office in the Parliament, which took place in a good atmosphere.

“It was a good and honest discussion. It is important that a channel of communication has been opened between the prime minister and the leader of the official opposition” government sources said.

According to the same sources, the two men discussed, among other things, foreign policy issues, as well as important issues, such as demographics and housing. Finally, there was a first discussion on the constitutional revision.

Androulakis: Tango needs two

Consensus is a tango involving two, said the president of PASOK, Nikos Androulakis. speaking to reporters waiting for him outside the prime minister’s office after his meeting with Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Mr. Androulakis noted that there was a productive discussion and that PASOK has permanent proposals for institutions and accuracy.

He estimated that there could be an agreement on the single consumer authority and the national commission on demographics.

Mr. Androulakis added: “I raised the issue of the constitutional revision to change the way of electing the leadership of the judiciary and the three years between judges retiring. Consent is a tango involving two. We are a credible and productive opposition. Productively yes, to have a field of consensus, with steps from both sides. No toxicity.”

Donuts and green tea

The ice between the two political leaders broke when Mr. Androulakis in the office of Mr. Mitsotakis.

As soon as Mr. Androulakis entered the Prime Minister’s office, Mr. Mitsotakis welcomed him by telling him that the journalists asked him what he will be treated to.

“Dolmadakia” answered Mr. Androulakis, “green tea?” asked Mr. Mitsotakis.

The dialogue in detail:

Kyriakos Mitsotakis: “Welcome him. how are you Well; They asked me what I’ll treat you to”

Nikos Androulakis: “Donuts”

Mitsotakis: “‘Green’ tea?”

Androulakis: “How was yesterday (ie the meeting with Starmer)?”

Mitsotakis: “It went well. The discussion was interesting. I know the British Prime Minister well, but it was the first time we met formally. We discussed the whole matter, and about the known issue, and we are now awaiting developments.

However, I am very happy that we are given the opportunity to hold this meeting in your new capacity. Let me congratulate you first and officially, as now you are also a state actor.

Obviously, it’s not the job of the opposition to agree with the government, it would be very strange if that happened very often, but I think we have an obligation to have an open channel of communication on a personal level and to always discuss frankly issues that they should, I think, be subjects of private discussion as well. And I look forward to having that honest communication whenever that’s needed. After all, I think this is what the situations and difficult times that we are going through as a whole require.

Androulakis: Thank you very much for the invitation. First of all, for PASOK, the symbolism of the national goal of reuniting the Parthenon Sculptors – a struggle started by the late Melina Merkouri – is very strong, and we will really help, however we can, to achieve this national goal.

Now, the question of consensus, I, and because of my previous experience in the European Parliament, I think the only way to move forward is consensus, but with an honest dialogue where we will put the real facts of the challenges and see, the each one from his ideological point of view, how he can contribute. After all, I think that in these first weeks we have submitted many proposals in various fields, which are of social, economic and national interest.”