N. Androulakis: The government has run out of ‘fuel’ to support society and the economy

In an interview with the Peloponnese newspaper and journalist Dimitris Triantaphyllopoulos, the President of PASOK – Movement for Change Nikos Androulakis, referring to the rise in energy prices, points out that the government has made a tragic management and stresses that it is behind all critical issues to date. from developments.

“ND tells us that it has no other fiscal margins to support society and the economy. Now it remembered that Greece has the highest public debt. But it forgets to say that in the last two years it made the fourth largest fiscal intervention in the world, but neither productive model changed, nor did GDP become better, so we got to the point where the government ran out of “fuel”. “The government has made a tragic management of the issue of rising energy prices.”

Identifying the priorities of the Democratic Party in managing this crisis affecting Greek society, Mr. Androulakis noted that “reducing inequalities and strengthening the welfare state, equitable wealth creation and the transition to a green economy are at the core of the positions “This is our identity, that is what we are fighting for.”

PASOK-KINAL has already proposed concrete measures since January. “There should be an immediate ceiling in the adjustment clause, a ceiling on the price of the invoice, a taxation of the corporate superprofits. According to data from the European Commission, their superprofits for the whole of Europe in 2022 will be around € 200 billion, if And of course, the reduction of VAT on basic goods. in relation to the budget target “, he underlined.

Responding to the issue of co-government, which is finally insisted on by ND and SYRIZA, Mr. Androulakis stressed that Messrs. Mitsotakis and Tsipras are two prime ministers who failed miserably. We will not give a lifeline to two political leaders who disappointed the Greek people. One said that “we will tear the memoranda” and it did worse and the other pursues a policy that benefits the few more. We have a goal: instead of giving them a lifeline, to give hope and perspective to the Greek people, the new generation. “So, the stronger the mandate of the citizens at the ballot box, the more power we will have to fight to form a responsible social democratic government that will finally give a way out of our homeland.”

The following is the full text of the interview of the President of PASOK – Movement for Change Nikos Androulakis in the newspaper Peloponnese and the journalist Dimitris Triantaphyllopoulos:

1) The start of your leadership in PASOK / KINAL was recorded, at least in opinion polls, very dynamic. Is that enough for you? What does it really show you?

ΑΠ. The big bet is for our team to become the strongest progressive force of responsibility in the country. We do not want to become regulators of developments, but protagonists to give perspective to the country and the new generation. We are fighting for the steady popular rise of PASOK-KINAL to be transformed into a majority current in society which will be reflected in the next elections whenever they take place. This, of course, requires a constant struggle to co-form with us a social democratic governance program, which will respond to the real anxieties of the Greek people.

2) How did you start, to slowly put into practice what you were evangelizing before the internal party elections? So where did you start any changes and in which direction are you now moving?

ΑΠ. I honor and implement the mandate for unity-renewal-political autonomy given to me by the 270,000 democratic citizens. We start the process of self-organization and the Digital Party, to be in constant communication with our base. The progressive world will be in the spotlight again. As I announced from Patras, the name of the faction will be co-signed with their vote by the thousands of citizens who will participate in the elections for the election of our delegates, municipal and prefectural bodies on May 8. This referendum will be the roadmap for all the big decisions that will be taken from now on with corresponding procedures by our members.

3) There is a feeling that SYRIZA and ND are “pushing” towards you, seeing an “air” in the Movement. You feel that, politically, you are “counted” more. How do you do this “reading” and how do you deal with it?

ΑΠ. ND and SYRIZA adopt the concept that “the end sanctifies the means”, dividing the world instead of uniting. We, on the contrary, aspire to become the creative force of the place, choosing good practices from other countries that improve the quality of life of the citizens. I will explain what I mean by an example. Last week I was in Lisbon where I met with Social Democrat Prime Minister Antonio Costa and we discussed, among other things, the 26,000 new homes that will be included in Portugal’s National Recovery Fund plan, which will offer low-rent housing to financially disadvantaged young people. students. A key intervention to address the most acute demographic problem of our country, which for months I propose and note is implemented by other countries such as Spain, Italy and Germany. However, Mr. Mitsotakis, although he stated only recently that he will deal with the problem of housing costs for young couples, included in the Recovery Fund a renovation program of just 100 houses. Do you realize the difference in priorities?

4) The scenario of early elections, you do not seem to promote it. Are the polls unnecessary now or are you – as a party with a new leadership – not “raising” it yet, in time?

ΑΠ. Both Mr. Mitsotakis and Mr. Tsipras move on the basis of voting motives. Until recently, the former stated that he would “burn” the first elections in order to achieve autonomy, violating every notion of institutional order and respect for the constitution. The leader of the main opposition has been calling for early elections throughout the past, when the pandemic was out of control. We fight whenever the elections take place for our ideas to play a leading role.

5) Why, in your opinion, do your opponents insist on the prospect … of your co-government with SYRIZA or ND but with both?

ΑΠ. Mr. Mitsotakis and Mr. Tsipras are two prime ministers who have failed miserably. We will not give a life preserver to two political leaders who disappointed the Greek people. One said “we will tear the memoranda” and it brought worse and the other pursues a policy that benefits the few more. We have a goal: instead of giving them a lifeline, to give hope and perspective to the Greek people, the new generation. So, the stronger the mandate of the citizens at the ballot box, the more power we will have to fight for the formation of a responsible social democratic government that will finally give a way out of our homeland.

6) In Achaia, there is a climate of readiness but also part of preparation for elections. Especially in terms of the composition of the ballot. Is there a general rule or philosophy on this?

ΑΠ. Achaia is the heart of the Democratic Party. In my speech in Patras, I saw again in the faces of the citizens the optimism and hope for the future of our Movement. It is very important for PASOK to become the first political force in the prefecture again and to send a message of victory to the whole country. I guarantee that we will mobilize every democratic citizen, friend and executive to maintain with open and democratic procedures a strong ballot paper with persons of high social credibility. We will all fight together, as we have done in the past, with unity and mutual respect, to break down the dichotomy of backwardness.

7) How do you see the management of the new global crisis evolving from a governmental point of view?

ΑΠ. The inflation rally started before the war in Ukraine. Of course there is an external crisis, but at the same time there are issues that the government does not want to touch on. ND tells us that it has no other budgetary margins to support society and the economy. Now he remembered that Greece has the highest public debt. But he forgets to say that in the last two years he made the fourth largest fiscal intervention in the world, but neither the productive model changed, nor the GDP became better. We have thus reached the point where the government has run out of “fuel”. The government has made a tragic management of the issue of rising energy prices. With its choices it “managed” to be the only country in Europe, which increased its dependence on natural gas by 25% in electricity production during the crisis, while at the same time Germany increased the renewable energy sources in the energy mix .

8) The EU, having the capacity of MEP, do you think that there is a need for action and decision-making? In which direction;

ΑΠ. With a plan, appropriate alliances and the necessary political will, we can achieve a lot for our country. I will bring you an example. From my position on the Security and Defense Committee in the European Parliament for years now, I have been striving to have a common policy on the export of European arms to third countries. One state alone cannot make choices that endanger the security of another Member State. That is why, on my own initiative, the European Parliament voted to impose an arms embargo on Turkey. It is not possible, especially in this new context, for European countries, such as Germany and Spain, to continue to equip Turkey and for our country to be forced to have the highest defense budget as a percentage of GDP in the Union. Moreover, the common Defense and Security will help Greece reduce spending on weapons systems and save money for the welfare state.

9) Society is having a difficult time, with price increases, accuracy and an ominous future. What is your message to the citizens?

ΑΠ. The government is constantly behind the developments. PASOK-KINAL has already proposed concrete measures taken by other states since January. There should be an immediate ceiling in the adjustment clause, a ceiling on the price of the invoice, taxation of the super profits of large companies. According to data from the European Commission, their super-profits for the whole of Europe in 2022 will be around 200 billion euros, if drastic measures are not taken by national governments. And of course, the reduction of VAT on basic goods. The state in recent months, from rising prices, is speculating to the detriment of the citizen. At least 800 million more tax revenues have flowed into state coffers in line with the budget target. Everything, then, is a matter of priorities. For the Democratic Party, the reduction of inequalities and the strengthening of the welfare state, the fair production of wealth and the transition to a green economy are at the core of our positions. This is our identity, that is what we are fighting for.