“There is no room for the creation of a new serious right-wing party in Greece”

“The quantity, quality and intensity of Antonis Samaras’ differentiation were such that they left no room for the prime minister.”

To Spyros Mourelatos – Source: Realnews

“There is no room for the creation of a new serious right-wing party in Greece”says Minister of State Makis Voridis to Realnews and explains that “Kyriakos Mitsotakis, with the policies practiced, composes and implements a mixture of government policy that expresses the right reason, ultimately both the centrist and the right-wing voter”. As pointed out by M. Boridis, “Parties thrive when their creation responds to existing unmet social needs and ideological-political alignments that also exist in society. They cannot be established voluntarily, nor do they thrive when created on the basis of personal strategies”. As regards the internal party landscape in N.D. is categorical: “I have no sign of defections, I am not at all worried about our party cohesion, there is no possibility of early elections”.

Do you think that government stability is guaranteed after the removal of Antonis Samaras? Worried about the cohesion of the ruling party? Do you have any indications that there are MPs who may defect from the ND? Do you rule out the possibility of early elections?

The Parliamentary Group of the New Democracy has proven to be coherent, solid but also militant and creative. My fellow New Democracy MPs have supported the government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis continuously, not only with their votes, but also with their arguments, for five and a half years of government. And so we will continue. I have no sign of defections, I am not at all worried about our party cohesion, there is no possibility of early elections.

Do you think that the government is winning from the latest developments? Do you feel that disciplinary action is the appropriate way to resolve political disputes, especially when it comes against a former prime minister?

The removal of former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras was a difficult and unpleasant decision first and foremost for the Prime Minister, but also for the members of the Ethics Committee and obviously the same applies to all of us who defended the necessity of this decision. The reasons which necessitated this decision have been sufficiently explained and I need not return to them. However, it was not a matter of political differences, as you tell me, it was not a point disagreement on some issue of government policy. The quantity, but also the quality and intensity of the differentiation were such that they left no room for the prime minister.

How likely do you consider the creation of a new party to the right of the N.D.? Are you afraid that you will lose part of the conservative audience that Antonis Samaras always talks to?

Parties thrive when their creation responds to existing unmet social needs and ideological-political alignments that also exist in society. They cannot be established voluntarily, nor do they thrive when created on the basis of personal strategies. Conservative voters know that the effective political expression of their own political priorities is carried out by the New Democracy government. Who is defensively shielding the country with the largest armament program of the last thirty years with the Rafale, the F-35, the frigates? Who fights every day against illegal immigration with the fence, the guarding of the maritime borders, the effective management of migration flows? Who has increased criminal arrests by 20%? Who has tightened the criminal code, but also the procedural provisions that facilitate more severe criminal treatment, which has resulted in a 10% increase in the prison population? Who made it possible for the imprisoned mayor of Heimarra Freddy Beleris to be elected MEP and, in fact, while he was still a prisoner? Who steadily and permanently lowers tax rates, who attracts investment, who lowers unemployment, who continually raises the minimum wage? It is these policies that respond to the demands of conservative voters and leave no room for a credible, serious pole to the right of New Democracy to be formed. The rational rightists support the government’s efforts. And so no, there is no room for the creation of a new serious right-wing party in Greece. Kyriakos Mitsotakis with the practiced policies composes and implements a mixture of government policy that expresses the right reason, ultimately both the centrist and the right-wing voter.

The Maximos Palace accuses Antonis Samaras of total deconstruction of the government. However, the other former prime minister, Kostas Karamanlis, has also criticized and, indeed, pointedly for specific aspects of the government’s policy. Do you think he is also wrong? Do you see any purpose in the attitude of the two former presidents of New Democracy?

We have repeatedly said that we do not comment on the views of former prime ministers of our faction. It is one thing, however, to express an opinion, point out, worry or even some different approach to an issue, it is another matter to consistently and persistently question the government’s honesty or even worse the patriotism of ministers or even the prime minister himself. I don’t make estimates of intentions, it doesn’t matter anyway. What always matters is the externalization of the will, the action.

Are you in favor of changing the electoral law and if so, what changes do you consider necessary?

There is no such question, no such discussion.

Are you concerned about the recent rise of PASOK in the opinion polls? Do you think that the tactic of identifying PASOK with SYRIZA is appropriate?

This rise seems logical to me and expected. The liquidation of SYRIZA, which – I remind you – has been in the process of disintegration since the first months of its government term, and this process seems endless: Lafazani’s LAE, Varoufakis’ MeRA25, Konstantopoulos’ Freedom Movement, Charitsi’s New Left, now the new party of Kasselakis is the result of this process. After the independence of two more of its MPs, SYRIZA is no longer an official opposition. It is logical for voters to move towards PASOK, especially those who want opposition to be feared in New Democracy. Obviously, from the parties of 8% and 10%, such awe does not exist. Well, some voters disappointed by SYRIZA will move to PASOK, others will move to more extreme left-wing parties. On the other hand, PASOK, as it will try to appeal to this part of the electorate, will try to shake off its memorabilia past and will look more and more like SYRIZA. So our criticism is correct: PASOK will not exercise constructive, but structural, nihilistic, populist opposition, it will become a green SYRIZA. However, it is important for someone to remind our fellow citizens what the alternative to government policy is: expediency, fiscal and fiscal derailment, a return to the populist rhetoric of supposedly easy and simple solutions. We have all experienced the disastrous results of this rhetoric.

See the Realnews article