To and to “Mismatched» the president of PASOK was found on Thursday morning, Nikos Androulakiswho spoke about the meeting he had on Wednesday with the prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakisa conversation that had a lot of topics, where “we agreed that we disagree on a lot of things, but we agreed on a lot of issues”, as is the topic of demographic.

“We agreed that there should be a National Commission with a cross-party character in the demographics and the Local Government will also participate, because we also have very serious regional issues. Let the work of the competent ministry be a basis for dialogue, but my opinion is that this Committee should have a function not only of recommendation, but also of supervision. In other words, how the political decisions we take in the demographic work, so that we can produce a long-term policy, because it is the biggest national issue”.

At the same time, Mr. Androulakis also referred to the issue of the constitutional revision and the need to open a debate on the article of the Constitution concerning the selection of the leadership of the Judiciary. “It is not possible to continue like this while we have too many incidents, such as Tempi and wiretapping, and serious incidents that have shaken citizens’ trust. We can find a way to make a decision with an enlarged majority that will also strengthen the autonomy of the judiciary” as he said, adding:

“A party cannot come, propose a person, saying ‘he is, do you want him?’ and after one to get along with Mr. Velopoulos, the other with SYRIZA, the other with PASOK. I have a specific opinion which I also told the prime minister yesterday. Within a reasonable period of time let’s see in which authorities the term ends, an open call for resumes is made and the competent Committee evaluates them all, choosing again with a majority of 3/5 and with an enlarged body”.

“It’s been 1 year since the non-state HEIs were passed, have you seen any big institution come to Greece?”

In question about the article 16the president of PASOK clarified that there was no discussion on this issue, with his opinion remaining that in the second revision PASOK will contribute to the possibility of creating non-state non-profit universities, with above all respect for the public university.

“A year has passed. Have you seen any large institution come to Greece and knock on the door? We heard big proposals, proclamations, expectations. Let’s be sensible and leave the communication games. The Constitution is a big talking point and should start a serious cross-party debate in Parliament away from individual party differences. And this is because the country needs a better quality democracy”.

Responding to the government’s accusations of “green SYRIZA” of “no to everything”, he pointed out that PASOK in the budget is available to vote for what is positive and creates conditions for a better life, especially for the weakest.

“There must be some limits to propaganda. It is fair that millions of euros in dividends given by banks are taxed at 5% and an unskilled worker paid the basic wage is taxed at 9%. It’s not fair, that’s why we also proposed that there should be a 10% in the dividends of more than several thousand euros and not 150 thousand, so that they give something more like with the banks. We said no to the dishonesty of the banks. We cannot have given so many billions for recapitalizations and have the biggest deposit rate-lending rate difference. So shouldn’t we take a political initiative to put pressure on the banks?”

“They cannot call us “green SYRIZA” and declare that our proposal to reduce VAT on basic goods is populism, when it has a minimal fiscal footprint – as it is not a permanent measure, but for as long as inflation and pressure last in food prices – and personally the prime minister in 2010 was talking about a horizontal reduction in VAT while Greece was bankrupt. And in 2019, the New Democracy tabled an amendment – shortly before they became the government – with a reduction in VAT in a number of economic sectors, an initiative worth billions without any costing. So, let us not be given lessons in consistency. Let there be a seriousness” emphasized Mr. Androulakis on PASOK’s proposal for VAT reduction in essential goods and government claims.

“I particularly appreciate Mr. Rammo, like Ms. Sakellaropoulou”

Asked about the election issue President of the Republicthe president of PASOK emphasized that there was no discussion with Kyriakos Mitsotakis, characterizing it as a “premature discussion that despises the current PtD and the process, while he said that when the time comes, PASOK will stand with seriousness and decency.

“I particularly appreciate Mr. Rammos for his stance on a morbid case of parastatal content. He endured, he fought with all his might to bring the truth to the surface. I appreciate him immensely. I also appreciate Mrs. Sakellaropoulou. Everything must be done in its time. The presidential election is not for petty political games or internal party arrangements. In principle, the selection of the PtD is made by a person who concerns the opposite area from the government. I am waiting for the end of the budget to highlight our own alternative proposals and when the time comes we will position ourselves seriously”.