A frontal attack on Alexis Tsipras was launched by Pavlos Marinakis, rejecting the former prime minister’s proposals regarding the economy.
The government spokesperson argued that these announcements ignore the country’s fiscal constraints and chose a cinematic analogy to support his criticism.
As he put it, the former prime minister reminds him of the role played by Lambros Konstantaras in the movie “The Crazy Fifty-Year-Old”, because, as he noted, “he acts like a big shot, a gentleman, with other people’s money—that of Greek taxpayers.”
Pavlos Marinakis emphasized that the government cannot provide more benefits than European rules allow, as this would lead, as he said, to a new period of fiscal surveillance. “The government is providing as much as it can, within the limits of European spending caps. Moreover, through its policies—which aim to increase investment, exports, job creation, so that while we lower tax rates, we can increase tax revenue by combating tax evasion, creating jobs and fostering economic growth, so that we can generate these additional revenues, the maximum portion of which—that is, whatever surplus we can generate from these revenues—we will return to the people.”
He continued: “So we cannot give more. If we give more, we’ll violate European rules and return to conditions of supervision, with all that entails: austerity measures and so on.”
He then launched a new attack on Alexis Tsipras, saying: “He imposed 29 taxes, deceived the people, made them stand in line at ATMs, closed the banks, and even said he should have closed them from day one.”
Referring to the polls, he argued that the government continues to enjoy the trust of the citizens, while characterizing the former prime minister’s positions as repetitive slogans that offer no solution to the cost of living.
At the same time, he noted: “Mr. Tsipras chose to raise the ENFIA property tax. He chose to tax the middle class. He chose to increase the advance tax payment and to strangle both the self-employed and businesses. He chose to raise health care taxes. He chose to do all of these things.”
He added: “In my view, taxes should be lowered for all citizens, especially for the middle class and those with lower incomes, and that is what we are doing. And what is the goal? For large companies to be treated fairly, so that they continue to create jobs.”
He added: “It is better for your policies to stimulate job creation—that is, for this surplus to flow back into the economy and multiply its benefits—rather than acting out of a spirit of revenge. Over the past 4.5 years, we’ve seen taxes on the middle class and lower-income earners.”
Regarding the state of the Greek economy, he also noted: “This money didn’t just grow on a tree; we’re now providing it—and it seems we have some leeway again, for the Thessaloniki International Fair—to provide even more funds. So how did these conditions come about? In 2019, Greece’s investment stood at 10% of GDP. The European average was 20% of GDP. We’ve closed that gap and reached 18–19%. For exports, the European average is 50% of GDP. Greece was at 20%; now it has reached 40%.”
Messages regarding Samaras, Karamanlis, Avramopoulos, and the Thessaloniki International Trade Fair
Pavlos Marinakis also commented on the public statements made by the former prime ministers Antonis Samaras and Kostas Karamanlis, insisting that New Democracy is addressing its internal disagreements.
Regarding Kostas Karamanlis, he stated: “I don’t think Kostas Karamanlis, our former prime minister and former president, has ever been absent from the party. He is a man with a strong sense of party loyalty. Whether he chooses to join the fray is his own decision.”
And he added: “It is very offensive for a man with Costas Karamanlis’s track record to be defined by someone else—without underestimating him either—a former prime minister, a former party leader. He has his own political identity, his own path, and he provides his own answers.”
Regarding Antonis Samaras, he stated: “The dilemmas and stakes of the 2027 elections—both for the country and for the party—are far greater than any personal grievances.”
And he continued: “I believe Mr. Samaras will give due consideration to the following very important point. The New Democracy party honored him, elected him president and then prime minister; the Greek people and all of us worked together toward that goal, and we have never regretted it for a moment.”
In conclusion, he noted: “It is legitimate; it is logical that there are objections, resentments, and grievances. But a major political party—the only one that has remained major throughout the entire post-dictatorship era—has learned to resolve these issues internally. Because at the end of the day, whatever the election results may be, they have no effect on the balance of power within the party, but they do have an effect on society.”
Regarding the case of Dimitris Avramopoulos, the government spokesperson commented: “It appears that Mr. Avramopoulos has provided convincing answers. I believe he has shown a certain level of commitment. He has demonstrated good writing skills, decorum, and poise. Some of his remarks may have been offensive, which is why we did not mince words. I believe that when our authorities call on us, we must respond.”
In closing, he referred to the Thessaloniki International Fair, leaving open the possibility of new tax breaks, primarily targeting the middle class and lower-income earners.
