Criticism<\/b> directed at Alexis Tsipras<\/b> was launched by the Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister, Thanasis Kontogeorgis<\/b>, noting characteristically that he is coming \u201c<\/b>with momentum for a program in Thessaloniki<\/b>.\u201d<\/p>\n
Specifically, speaking on Parapolitika Radio\u2014prompted in fact by what Alexis Tsipras said on Monday evening at an open rally\u2014he said: \u201cMr. Tsipras is coming on strong, but with a strong push for a Thessaloniki program. If we evaluate what was said, it brings back memories of the recent past. His side represented populism in the country, resorted to empty promises, one-upmanship, and proposals with no cost estimates, and never spoke about the future<\/b>. \u201cThat\u2019s what we\u2019ve seen so far from Mr. Tsipras,\u201d he said, while also posing what he described as a reasonable question: \u201cWhy, if it\u2019s so easy now, didn\u2019t you do it back then?\u201d<\/p>\n
Especially regarding the former prime minister\u2019s proposals on public transportation<\/b> and taxation<\/b>, \u201csomeone acting in good faith might judge these to be unrealistic,\u201d the deputy minister said, adding: \u201cIt is the opposition\u2019s job to put forward realistic<\/b> proposals<\/b>. And it doesn\u2019t say how to grow the economy so that I can do this.\u201d<\/p>\n
On the other hand, he pointed out, \u201cwe are moving forward with measures by expanding the pie<\/b>.\u201d Specifically regarding the opposition\u2019s promises to restore the 13th pension and the 13th salary, this would cost 4 billion, the Deputy Minister noted, and \u201cto provide them, you must either raise taxes or cut<\/b> from somewhere<\/b>.” On the contrary, he insisted, \u201cwe have proven that when we say we\u2019ll do something, we do it\u2014and we do even more.\u201d<\/p>\n
When asked whether measures in favor of self-employed professionals and retirees would be announced at the Thessaloniki International Fair<\/b>, he replied that \u201cdecisions will be made after August 15<\/b>. Let\u2019s see the fiscal space, how tourism went.\u201d He assured, however, that \u201cwe will not adopt any anti-growth policies.\u201d<\/p>\n
Moreover, whatever fiscal space is finalized, it will be allocated \u201ctoward reducing direct<\/b> taxes and supporting the most vulnerable<\/b>,\u201d he emphasized.<\/p>\n
When asked to comment on the proposal by PASOK President Nikos Androulakis to reduce VAT on basic goods<\/b>, he countered that \u201cEuropean experience has shown that (such a measure) is very likely to be lost in the supply chain and fail to reach the consumer<\/b>. Furthermore, it will entail significant fiscal costs<\/b>. Anyone proposing it must explain how they intend to cover the cost.\u201d In any case, he added, \u201cat this moment, there is no such discussion on the table.\u201d<\/p>\n
When asked if there is a rift between the party leadership and New Democracy MPs<\/b>, Mr. Kontogeorgis<\/b> stated: \u201cWe are all working toward the same goal. I haven\u2019t felt this gap<\/b>, I work very closely with the MPs on regional issues.\u201d Also, \u201cI always start with the MPs; they give you a snapshot of the region.\u201d<\/p>\n
Regarding the administrative state, he noted that \u201cthe idea\u2014and this is what he\u2019s working on\u2014is that we can create<\/b> a center through which we can coordinate policies and design policies.\u201d Furthermore, a future Prime Minister will find a ready-made structure of civil servants, he noted.<\/p>\n
In a subsequent comment, he said: \u201cWe have ten months ahead of us to complete as much as we can regarding what we have committed to<\/b> but also (to say) what we propose to the Greek people for the day after.\u201d<\/p>\n
When asked about the political plans of former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras<\/b>, he referred to the prime minister\u2019s interview on ANT1 with Nikos Hatzinikolaou: there, \u201cwith the seriousness and respect for institutional norms that are required, he referred to both former prime ministers.\u201d Specifically, \u201che said something we all think within the broader political camp, that if something like that happens, there is obviously some damage, certainly on a symbolic level\u2026<\/b>\u201d. It\u2019s too early to talk about the electoral impact, he added.<\/p>\n
However, he clarified that \u201cthe criticism is unfair on the issues it focuses on. Among those who feel close to the party, (this criticism) falls on deaf ears. Because if there is one thing they are most proud of, it is how the prime minister has conducted the country\u2019s foreign policy<\/b>, (he takes pride in) the increase in the country\u2019s defense and deterrence capabilities, the increase in diplomatic capital, the fact that our country has a voice and exercises its sovereign rights with seriousness and prudence.\u201d<\/p>\n
When asked about the role that the other former prime minister, Kostas Karamanlis<\/b>, Thanasis Kontogeorgis<\/b> pointed out: \u201cThe present and future of our country, especially in such an environment, requires not only the accumulated experience present in the government and the Prime Minister, but also a joining of forces among people who understand what is happening and want to move things forward. I believe that the former Prime Minister, Mr. Karamanlis,<\/b> will be part of this effort<\/b>.\u201d<\/p>\n
As for the pre-election dilemma, he said that it \u201cwill concern both the policies and the Prime Minister\u2019s character.\u201d As for post-election scenarios<\/b>, he replied: \u201cWe\u2019ll see it all on election night.\u201d In any case, \u201cthis is not a two-round election<\/b>. In 2023, we had two rounds because we had a different<\/b> electoral system<\/b>.\u201d And, \u201cespecially given the current situation in the country, we must have a government in place the very next day. The prime minister and the government have made it abundantly clear that we seek a majority government not out of self-interest or as an end in itself,\u201d but, he added, single-party governments are more effective.<\/p>\n
In closing, he took a jab at PASOK<\/b>, because at its convention, as he argued, \u201cfocused more on who it would not cooperate with<\/b>. Certainly, the margins are narrower than they could be under other circumstances.\u201d In any case, \u201cNew Democracy and the prime minister will not leave the country without a government<\/b>,\u201d he assured.<\/p>\n
In response to the final question, regarding whether he would be a candidate for parliament, Thanasis Kontogeorgis<\/b> said that in the government \u201cwe have a lot on our plate, we have ten months ahead of us<\/b> during which we\u2019re all rushing to get as much done as possible. I am fully committed to this effort. If the prime minister wants anything, we\u2019ll see<\/b>.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Thanasis Kontogeorgis, Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister, launched a criticism of Alexis Tsipras, noting in particular that he is \u201ccoming on strong for …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11074,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11073","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-politics"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.tomanifesto.gr\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11073","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.tomanifesto.gr\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.tomanifesto.gr\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.tomanifesto.gr\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.tomanifesto.gr\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=11073"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/en.tomanifesto.gr\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11073\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.tomanifesto.gr\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/11074"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.tomanifesto.gr\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=11073"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.tomanifesto.gr\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=11073"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.tomanifesto.gr\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=11073"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}