“The executive state is a way of coordinating government policies and managing crisis,” Pavlos Marinakis told SKAI.

As he explained, even the seven deputies who drafted the letter on the operation of the staff state acknowledged its successes. He said the staff state exists to coordinate policies, “nothing more.”

The government spokesman called the distinction between extra-parliamentary and parliamentary ministers a mistake. “There are no black and white spots. That is, in the logic of extra-parliamentary, in this category can be the party secretary, sometimes the organisational secretary,” he stressed. “I in 2023 I was fighting the battle all over Greece as party secretary. I was fighting for the party cross, overall, for the party vote,” he added.

Pavlos Marinakis said that the debate on whether non-parliamentarians should participate in elections is largely inappropriate, as “the answer was given by the citizens… in the last elections.” He also said that democratic legitimacy arises through the judgment of voters, noting that “when you are given an opportunity, you have to… be accountable to the citizens.” He cited the 2023 elections as an example, where several extra-parliamentary members of New Democracy were elected to high positions, proving that society accepts this choice.

Then he referred to the New Democracy’s journey from 2012 to the present, noting the great change in its electoral and political position. As he said, “14 years ago New Democracy got 18%”, while today it is in its second term in government with a strong margin. Despite the difficulties, he argued that the country has improved significantly internationally and economically, stressing that Greece is no longer “the ‘black sheep’ of Europe”. At the same time, he called for unity and attention to internal voices, noting that deputies must be heard, but without undermining the overall course, expressing confidence that only New Democracy will emerge victorious.

The New Democracy’s parliamentary group meeting of historic importance

As for tomorrow’s meeting of the New Democracy’s Parliamentary Group, Marinakis also described it as “of historic importance”, as it will be the start of the debate on the constitution revision. “It will set a framework which, if it results in a revision – because it needs broader consensus – can also change many of the things we are discussing for the better.”

“Tomorrow’s parliamentary group is also of historical importance, because it will be the start of the debate on the constitutional revision, first by the Prime Minister and then by the rapporteur of the New Democracy, Euripides Stylianides, who has a lot of experience in these matters. So, a framework will be put in place which, if it comes to a review because it needs broader consensus, can change many things we are discussing for the better. We have put in place some pillars. In the Parliamentary Group, as we in New Democracy are used to, there is also a dialogue and it will not be the first or the last time. New Democracy only comes out of the dialogue as a winner,” he said.

“Tsipras wants to shake off 2015”

In response to Alexis Tsipras and whether he traded the Prespes Agreement for pensions, the government spokesman noted that the former prime minister’s goal is “to shake 2015 off his shoulders.”

“First of all, in the book “The Last Bluff”, nothing like that is written. Mr Tsipras said he didn’t go to give his opinion in this excellent documentary that reminds us of the truth. And Mr Tsipras will drink the bitter glass of truth”, he said immediately afterwards.

“The rebranding consists of the following simple: I the moral and pure was misled by various Varoufakis, Lafazanis and I am something else. Mr Tsipras was the instigator of all this. The pensions, Mr Tsipras, who said he would increase them, cut them. The bottom line is that a country that was ready to come out even a little bit into the light in 2014, implementing some 3.5 billion euro measures, loaded 100 to 120 billion unnecessarily for decades because Mr Tsipras and his comrades wanted to revolutionise,” he said.

On the OPEKEPE case, Marinakis dismissed accusations of unequal treatment, arguing that “the constitution provides for two completely different procedures” for ministers and MPs. He stressed that in the case of ministers, Parliament judges whether there are indications, while for MPs, the judiciary has already made an initial assessment. He insisted that “there is no question of a cover-up, but of respect for the Constitution” and that “in the absence of evidence […] we will not allow the country to turn into a vast court,” accusing the opposition of trying to create artificial tension.

The opposition is not seeking the truth

On the proposal for a Commission of Inquiry, he argued that the opposition is not seeking the truth, but political tension, saying that the goal is “to go to the elections […] with a parliament that has been turned into an endless process of examinations.” At the same time, he pointed out that there are already previous procedures and decisions of the judiciary that must be respected.

On accuracy and fuel, he highlighted the government’s work in reducing taxes, stating that “we have reduced or abolished 83 direct and indirect taxes.” He argued that the measures taken on fuel had a greater benefit than a potential reduction in the excise tax, and raised the issue of fiscal costs, noting that the opposition did not explain “who would pay the fiscal costs”. At the same time, he stressed that the government is giving as much as European rules allow, saying. He linked the current policy to past pathologies, criticising the logic of “come on, we will be taken care of by the next generations”.

Finally, on the purchasing power, he acknowledged that it is not at the desired level (“do we have the purchasing power we want? No”), but argued that there is a clear improvement compared to 2019. He said that the economy and employment have strengthened and that wage growth and tax cuts are gradually paying off, noting that “you can’t go from the third basement to the 25th floor overnight.” He concluded by stating that, without triumphalism, this policy is creating conditions for people to “get what they were deprived of” as long as growth and fiscal balance continue.

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