{"id":13075,"date":"2026-06-26T18:43:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-26T15:43:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.tomanifesto.gr\/?p=13075"},"modified":"2026-06-26T18:43:00","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T15:43:00","slug":"dimitris-kairidis-speaks-out-behind-tsiprass-smile-lies-stalin-is-doukas-a-member-of-pasok","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/en.tomanifesto.gr\/?p=13075","title":{"rendered":"Dimitris Kairidis Speaks Out: Behind Tsipras\u2019s Smile Lies Stalin\u2014Is Doukas a Member of PASOK?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Harsh attack <\/b>on Alexis Tsipras<\/strong>, barbs aimed at Charis Doukas<\/strong>, and comments on developments within the center-left included in the interview with Dimitris Kairidis<\/b> on Alpha Radio 98.9.<\/p>\n

The member of parliament from New Democracy<\/strong> was asked to comment on the interview with Alexis Tsipras<\/strong> and, in particular, the former prime minister\u2019s statement that he is not interested in the role of leader of the official<\/b>opposition, but rather in forming a single-party government and becoming prime minister.\u00a0Mr. Kairidis<\/strong> responded in a particularly sharp manner, calling him \u201carrogant and cunning\u201d<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe party is entirely his own\u201d<\/h3>\n

Explaining the description \u201carrogant,\u201d Dimitris Kairidis argued that Alexis Tsipras<\/strong> operates on terms of absolute personal dominance in the political arena he is attempting to shape.\u00a0\u201cArrogant because the party is entirely his own\u2014person-centered and leader-driven,\u201d he said characteristically, arguing that the former prime minister is imposing conditions on his former colleagues from SYRIZA for their return.<\/p>\n

In a mocking tone, he noted that Alexis Tsipras<\/strong> \u201cis putting his former comrades through their paces,\u201d saying he would accept them back \u201conly after they first resign from their seats,\u201d while adding ironically that they would have to \u201crepent for their sins\u201d and \u201cfast for 40 or 60 days.\u201d\u00a0\u201cThis is unprecedented at a certain point,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n

Taxation of the wealthy and the \u201ctrap\u201d<\/h3>\n

Mr. Kairidis described Alexis Tsipras as a \u201ccunning little man\u201d<\/b>, referring to his stance on the issue of taxation. As he said, the former prime minister understood the political \u201ctrap\u201d that could be created if the debate were reopened that \u201cthe Left is coming\u201d to raise taxes.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe understood the trap that some people\u2014and perhaps even he himself, regarding taxation\u2014were setting for him by reopening this discussion,\u201d he said, noting that Mr. Tsipras limited his remarks to the \u201cultra-wealthy.\u201d<\/p>\n

The New Democracy MP argued that this rhetoric is familiar and repetitive, pointing out that the key question for Greece is not \u201chow we will drive out wealth,\u201d but \u201chow to create wealth.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe key is how we\u2019re going to create wealth, not how we\u2019re going to drive out wealth or how we\u2019re going to redistribute the small pie, because the Greek pie is small, let\u2019s be honest,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cTsipras is gaining ground in the polls\u201d<\/h3>\n

In response to the observation that Alexis Tsipras<\/b> appears to be gaining traction in the polls and that there are people who believe in him, Mr. Kairidis responded by citing Stefanos Kasselakis as an example.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd Kasselakis\u2014I\u2019ll never stop saying this\u2014 15%<\/strong> in the European elections all on his own,\u201d he said, adding that afterward \u201cthey uprooted him\u201d and \u201ckicked him out.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the same vein, Dimitris Kairidis made an even harsher remark about Alexis Tsipras, saying that behind the image he projects lies a deeper political logic.\u00a0<\/i>\u201cBehind that smile and whatever charisma he has left lies Stalin. Have no doubt about it,\u201d<\/strong> he said pointedly.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs Haris Doukas a member of PASOK?\u201d<\/h3>\n

Dimitris Kairidis<\/strong> was also asked about the confrontation that arose with Haris Doukas, making clear jabs at the mayor of Athens\u2019 political ties to PASOK as well as to the camp of Alexis Tsipras.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In fact, at one point during the interview, he appeared to politically question Mr. Doukas\u2019s organic ties to PASOK, asking pointedly: \u201cIs Haris Doukas a member of PASOK?\u201d<\/p>\n

When it was pointed out to him that the mayor of Athens identifies as a PASOK member, Mr. Kairidis replied: \u201cHe says he\u2019s with PASOK\u2026 everyone has that right.\u201d He then asked whether Mr. Doukas participates in the party\u2019s governing bodies or has ever been a PASOK candidate, saying: \u201cIs he part of PASOK\u2019s leadership bodies, as a PASOK candidate?\u201d<\/p>\n

The New Democracy MP also claimed that he had not seen the official PASOK party rush to defend Haris Doukas. \u201cI didn\u2019t see the official PASOK party file any complaint, nor did I see any PASOK MP post anything with particular fervor to defend him,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

On the contrary, as he said, those who rushed to support the mayor of Athens were figures politically linked to SYRIZA or Alexis Tsipras. He referred to Kostas Zachariadis, whom he described as a \u201cformer SYRIZA spokesperson\u201d and \u201ccurrent right-hand man of Alexis Tsipras,\u201d as well as to Elena Kountoura.<\/p>\n

When asked if he believes there is an agreement between Tsipras and Doukas to stir up trouble within PASOK, Mr. Kairidis replied: \u201cI don\u2019t know if there is. I know that Haris Doukas has left. He has left and is trying to join Tsipras.\u201d<\/p>\n

In this way, the New Democracy MP sought to portray Haris Doukas as someone who, in his view, may have ties to PASOK but is now following a different political path.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have lost sight of the essence of political debate\u201d<\/h3>\n

In any case, the New Democracy MP attempted to shift the discussion away from individuals and internal party dynamics toward everyday problems, saying that public discourse has become trapped in opinion polls and behind-the-scenes maneuvering. \u201cThese are trivial matters. They aren\u2019t what\u2019s important. What matters are the problems people face,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

According to him, political debate has lost its essence. \u201cLet\u2019s stop with the internal party matters and the polls. We\u2019ve misled the public and lost sight of what really matters. We\u2019ve lost the political debate, the substance, and the resolution of problems,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople\u2019s Front\u201d in Athens and an attack on the mayor<\/h3>\n

Mr. Kairidis continued his criticism of Haris Doukas, referring to a \u201cPeople\u2019s Front\u201d in Athens, with SYRIZA and PASOK aligning behind the mayor.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have a People\u2019s Front in Athens, SYRIZA\u2013PASOK, with Haris Doukas, and the situation is shameful,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

He even accused the mayor of Athens of not focusing on the city, but rather on the national political scene. \u201cWe have a mayor who isn\u2019t concerned with the city. He isn\u2019t interested in Athens; he\u2019s interested in political maneuvering,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Referring to Haris Doukas\u2019s trip to London and his meeting with Andy Burnham and Keir Starmer, Mr. Kairidis argued that the mayor also made veiled references to the PASOK leadership, saying that \u201cIn Britain, prime ministers and party leaders step down, and others who can win take their place.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dimitris Kairidis\u2019s statement indicates that New Democracy is closely monitoring developments within the center-left, attempting to highlight contradictions, personal strategies, and potential personnel shifts surrounding Alexis Tsipras. At the same time, he seeks to refocus the discussion on the argument that political debate must return to the real problems facing citizens.<\/p>\n

The comparison with the mayor of Thessaloniki<\/h3>\n

Continuing his criticism of Haris Doukas, Dimitris Kairidis compared him to the mayor of Thessaloniki, Stelios Angeloudis, emphasizing that, although he is not a member of New Democracy, he is, as he put it, focused on his city rather than the national political scene.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see the mayor of Thessaloniki\u2014from my city, where I\u2019m from\u2014who isn\u2019t one of us, who doesn\u2019t come from New Democracy, a close associate of Evangelos Venizelos in the past, focusing on his city,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The New Democracy MP argued that Mr. Angeloudis is not engaging in political maneuvering, but is trying to keep Thessaloniki functional and clean. \u201cAnd Mr. Angeloudis gets things done,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n

In this way, Mr. Kairidis sought to refute the perception of partisan bias, stating that he does not evaluate mayors based on their party affiliation. \u201cI don\u2019t have blinders on or engage in partisan patriotism,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n

\u201cAthens isn\u2019t functioning\u201d<\/h3>\n

On the contrary, Dimitris Kairidis was particularly critical of the situation in Athens, saying that this is the city where he works and spends most of his time.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u201cI see a city where I have my office, where I spend 80% of my time\u2014the center of Athens, the Athens of the Parliament and everything else\u2014that isn\u2019t functioning,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

In the same vein, he reiterated his criticism of Haris Doukas, accusing him of being more concerned with political confrontation than with the city\u2019s problems.<\/p>\n

The Prosfigika neighborhood on Alexandras Avenue and the barbs aimed at Doukas<\/h3>\n

Mr. Kairidis also addressed the issue of the refugee camps on Alexandras Avenue, taking jabs at the mayor of Athens\u2019 stance. As he put it, Haris Doukas, through his stance, \u201cembraces every fringe group,\u201d at the expense, as he argued, of the efforts being made by the Regional Authority.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd Haris Doukas gave a lengthy speech\u2014all about the refugee camps, Koufontinas, and every fringe issue\u2014for the mayor to adopt it and embrace it, at the expense of the regional governor, who is making a tremendous effort to revitalize that severely degraded area,\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n

The New Democracy MP noted that those familiar with the Alexandra and Ambelokipi neighborhoods understand the magnitude of the problem and the need for intervention.<\/p>\n

When it was pointed out during the discussion that the government has historically neglected this specific issue, Mr. Kairidis acknowledged that wherever the government leaves gaps, problems arise that are subsequently difficult to manage.<\/p>\n

\u201cWherever the government leaves a gap, issues arise, and then it\u2019s difficult to manage them,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The narrative of self-reliance for New Democracy<\/h3>\n

The discussion then the discussion turned to New Democracy, the polls, and the possibility of Antonis Samaras forming a new party. When asked whether the narrative of a majority government remains alive for New Democracy, Dimitris Kairidis answered in the affirmative. \u201cOf course it does. And I think as long as Alexis Tsipras is around, the narrative of a majority government will always be there,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

He admitted, however, that New Democracy is still far from that goal, but he argued that a majority government is not unattainable, given that the party\u2019s starting point in the polls ranges from 28% to 30%.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are difficulties, and we are far from that. But with a starting point of 28\u201330% in the polls, it is not unattainable,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe key issues haven\u2019t come into play yet\u201d<\/h3>\n

Mr. Kairidis argued that current opinion polls are being conducted during a \u201cpolitical lull,\u201d since, as he put it, the pressing issues of the election have not yet been raised. \u201cAll of this is happening today during a political lull, before the real issues have come into play,\u201d he said, adding that Greek voters \u201caren\u2019t in an election mood.\u201d\u00a0According to him, there is still a large percentage of undecided voters, while the real questions about the day after the election have not yet been raised with any urgency in society. \u201cThe stakes regarding what will happen the day after the election haven\u2019t been raised urgently. Because, let\u2019s face it, the country needs a leader,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf New Democracy isn\u2019t strong enough to govern on its own, then what?\u201d<\/h3>\n

The New Democracy MP also raised the central political dilemma, as he sees it, in the run-up to the next election.\u00a0\u201cIf New Democracy isn\u2019t a majority government, then what? What\u2019s the alternative? Alexis Tsipras? Why would Alexis take the lead, and with whom, and how, and what?\u201d<\/em>, he asked. In this way, Mr. Kairidis sought to present New Democracy\u2019s ability to govern on its own as the only clear solution for forming a government in the face of a fluid political landscape and Alexis Tsipras\u2019s maneuvers.<\/p>\n

The possibility of a Samaras party<\/h3>\n

When asked about the possibility of Antonis Samaras forming a party and whether such a move would harm New Democracy, Dimitris Kairidis replied that it would cause political damage. \u201cI believe so. It would do a little harm,\u201d he said, adding that this is precisely why, in his opinion, such a move should not be made. Mr. Kairidis argued that a Samaras-led party would not only hurt the New Democracy leadership but also the broader base of the party.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt will hurt\u2014and I\u2019m not just talking about the leadership\u2014an entire community. I see him, with his democratic patriotism and dedication, ready to join the fight right now. He\u2019ll consider it a betrayal,\u201d he said. In closing, he used particularly sharp language regarding the possibility of another split or defection: \u201cWhen it happens a second time, it ceases to be a coincidence. It becomes a pattern.\u201d <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A harsh attack on Alexis Tsipras, barbs aimed at Haris Doukas and comments on developments within the center-left were included in the …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13076,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13075","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\/13075","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=13075"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/en.tomanifesto.gr\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13075\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.tomanifesto.gr\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/13076"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.tomanifesto.gr\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13075"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.tomanifesto.gr\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13075"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.tomanifesto.gr\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13075"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}