A message of political rallying by the New Democracy, spikes against the opposition and an emphasis on major projects, such as the development model of Crete, included the intervention of the vice president of the government, Kostis Hatzidakis, at the 3rd ET Forum of “Free Press”, held in Heraklion.
Answering questions from the director of “Free Press”, Yannis Tsaproounis, Mr. Hatzidakis noted that “the dilemma of the next elections will not be“Mitsotakis or chaos”, but will be“Mitsotakis or Androulakis or Tsipras or Velopoulos or all the rest”“, adding that Greek citizens “are here, they have their families, their children and their future here and they will decide”.
Commenting on the scenarios of Alexis Tsipras’ return to the central political scene, he spoke of “the same executives, the same faces and the same promises,” stressing: “What PASOK will do with Mr Tsipras and the new Syriza is their issue.What concerns us is not our concern, what should concern us is to look ahead, to look at our work.”
The deputy prime minister again dismissedscenarios of early elections, while he also spoke about internal party differentiations in New Democracy ahead of the party’s congress. “We are neither a mausoleum nor Gaiti’s little men,” he said, noting that in a large party “it is normal to have different opinions,” but stressing the need for party rallying.
On economic policy and the government’s announcements at the TIF, he referred to new tax cuts and additional support for the most vulnerable, insisting on the line of “fiscal stability and housekeeping,” he said. He explained that the government will not follow the logic of parochialism, but “steady steps forward”, based on growth and tackling tax evasion.
Hatzidakis made special reference to the major projects underway in Crete, saying that the government and Kyriakos Mitsotakis personally have given special importance to the island. In this context, he referred to the progress of the Northern Road Axis of Crete,noting that the eastern section is already under construction, while preparatory work has begun on the western section.
On the new Airport in Kastelli,he described it as “the most modern airport in Europe”expressing the assessment that an effort will be made to deliver it even before the end of 2028. At the same time, he stressed the importance of the electrical interconnections of Crete with the Peloponnese and Attica, projects that, as he explained, have been discussed for decades and have now been completed, with a significant energy, environmental and economic footprint. He placed particular emphasis on water management, describing the water supply problem as a top priority. In fact, he reiterated, “the government is promoting a comprehensive water management plan in Crete, with the central role of the Crete Development Agency.”
The deputy prime minister also outlined tthe new development model that the island needs in the next decade, with emphasis, he noted, on a more sustainable tourism, on strengthening the primary sector, organic agriculture, greenhouses and hydroponics, as well as the exploitation of research and innovation through the island’s universities and FORTH.
In addition, Hatzidakis also spoke about the issue of gun ownership in Crete, stressing: “We cannot comply with the problem and wake up every time something dramatic happens.” In this context, he stressed the need for greater awareness and cooperation among all local and institutional actors.
