of Despina Vlepakis

At Harilaou Trikoupi consider that the measures announced by the Prime Minister for the banks were the result of the productive, serious, reliable and structural opposition exercised by the PASOK. In the green faction, they record the package of measures as a victory for PASOK, as they emphasize that it was the result of pressure on the Government and came after PASOK’s initiatives. The tone was set by Nikos Androulakis with his statement in the peristyle of the Parliament after the completion of the debate and also the vote on the budget.

“PASOK today achieved an important parliamentary victory. For two years now, Mr. Mitsotakis played Pontius Pilate in the face of bank speculation. Today, after a fortnight of our pressure with continuous proposals, he announced some timid measures. Even if this is a step. We will continue on this path of productive, meaningful opposition that will lead the government to always face its responsibilities.” said the Leader of the Opposition Officer.

PASOK: The pressure will intensify

In fact, executives of Harilaou Trikoupis talk about the parliamentary supremacy of PASOK, which for a month and a half has been putting the agenda to the government that the ND is finally following. PASOK’s Parliamentary victory on the issue of banks exposed the government’s ineptitude, as due to PASOK’s pressure, Mr. Mitsotakis was gradually forced to take initiatives, commented close associates of Nikos Androulakis. According to information, PASOK’s parliamentary pressure in the Parliament is expected to intensify in the next period.

Mitsotakis-Androulakis confrontation in the Parliament

The harsh confrontation between Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Nikos Androulakis in the Parliament over the budget showed, according to Charilaou Trikoupis officials, the dividing lines between two different government proposals for the economy, the production model and the way of exercising power, with the President of PASOK to begin his speech by characterizing the Budget as a “lost opportunity”.

“It is a budget of lost opportunities, half, truth, absence of perspective and hope for the vast majority of the people. The anemic growth is due to the Recovery Fund having an expiry date, the surpluses are due to inflation and precision. Inflation, precision and the Recovery Fund are the lifelines of your government wreck,” noted the opposition leader.

Answer to populism with… Voskopoulos

Nikos Androulakis did not fail to reverse the fire about populism in relation to PASOK’s proposal to reduce the VAT on basic goods by invoking a song by Tolis Voskopoulos wanting to recall pre-election proposals of the ND on the VAT.

“I will prove to you who is the real populist us or you? Today the memories will come back, as the folk bard says. Are we populists who proposed a measure with a minimal economic footprint or Mr. Mitsotakis who in 2010 and 2011 proposed a horizontal reduction in VAT with Greece bankrupt? Who is the populist? Me or you? How much did the meter cost then? You said a lot until you sat in the chair and now you accuse others of things they don’t do,” added the president of PASOK.

Political Change

Nikos Androulakis shot arrows at the Government for obstructing reforms and for lack of vision and strategy and emphasized the need for Political Change. “The Greek people have nothing else to expect from a government in retreat. It is now imperative to change the political direction, with a Progressive Development and Social Law plan” said Mr. Androulakis addressing the citizens from the floor of the Parliament: “So, I invite every Greek woman and every Greek man who demands respect from the state, who thirsts for security, hope and perspective to join our forces so that the country can turn the page.” To open a new path of prosperity, stable prosperity and social justice for all Greeks and especially for the new generation”.

Referring to the national issues, Nikos Androulakis pointed out that until recently there were four different voices in the ND, while accusing the Government of confusing internal party issues with national interests.