A clear message in favour of unity, collectivity and political continuity of New Democracy sent the government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis.
During his address to the party’s 16th congress, he even used a typical reference to former prime minister Kosta Karamanlis’s “torch” for the party.
The government spokesman attempted to highlight the political stigma of the government and the New Democracy Party, placing particular emphasis on the party’s relationship with the middle class, but also on the need for the party to remain committed to the logic of collective effort.
References to the middle class and young people
During his speech, Paul Marinakis stood particularly on the social groups to which, he said, New Democracy is addressing, while launching spikes to the opposition parties.
“The New Democracy talks to the middle class, to the householders. They want no benefits, common sense, not the absurdity of the opposition parties.”
At the same time, he also referred to labour issues, rejecting scenarios or proposals concerning compulsory four-day work, saying: “We cannot talk about compulsory four-day work.”
He also made a special reference to the younger generation, saying that young citizens are asking for meaningful representation and not communication moves without impact. In particular, he stressed: “Young people do not want tarpaulin inaugurations. They want those who represent them to have credentials.”
The reference to Kostas Karamanlis and the “torch” of the Southwest
In a more personal tone, the government spokesman spoke about his own journey through the UNNED and the New Democracy, stressing that many executives owe a lot of political and personal debt to the party.
“We owe a lot to ND, and I personally. For what we experienced in the ONNED, in the party. There are many of us who owe, some are here some may not be. Some may have their grievances. It is legitimate. ND is a party of dialogue. But our party has taught us to put the we before the ego.”
Completing his statement, Paul Marinakis invoked an earlier quote by Kosta Karamanlis, giving a symbolic character to the “torch” of the party and linking it to the collectivity and ideas of the Southwest.
“Kostas Karamanlis said to pass the torch from generation to generation. But the torch is the we and not the ego. All those who asked for nothing and were always present. The Torch has taught us to fight and put aside objections. The torch is our ideas.”
