Adonis Georgiadis to BN tv: We will find common ground with Samaras and Karamanlis – Parliament is not a church, Trump theories have flopped

Minister of Health Adonis Georgiadis dropped a bombshell in an interview with BN TV, leaving open the possibility of a return for Antonis Samaras and a more active presence for Kostas Karamanlis. Mr. Georgiadis specifically noted that "It is a pity that Samaras and Karamanlis are on the sidelines, but it happens even in the best of families! I believe we will 'find common ground' with them!"

Responding to questions from Antzi Stathatou and Sotiris Pikoulas on the show MAGGA, on BankingNews.gr's web TV, BNtv, Mr. Georgiadis launched a fierce attack against Zoe Konstantopoulou, stating that she is violating labor rights. He pointed out that after the Mitsotakis-Erdogan meeting, even Velopoulos had nothing of substance to say, while following Donald Trump’s statements regarding Greece, he emphasized that all theories about bad relations with Mitsotakis have completely flopped. Regarding the atmosphere in Parliament and the confrontations, he noted that Parliament is not a church, while for Grigoris Dimitriadis, he mentioned he has respect and affection for him but cannot make suggestions to the Prime Minister.

She lies and violates labor rights

Specifically regarding the confrontation with the president of Plefsi Eleftherias, Zoe Konstantopoulou, he stated he has no personal feud with her but is acting in defense: "She was insulting me in Parliament with the worst derogatory terms, and I went to answer. I lost my cool a bit there, truth be be told, because I got annoyed as she was interrupting me incessantly."

He also responds to Zoe Konstantopoulou’s allegations that he is a member of a criminal organization because he learned about a female employee's complaint against her party before she did: "I learned it from a Sunday newspaper; does that make me a criminal organization because I read a newspaper?" Subsequently, Adonis Georgiadis points out that the complaining employee still appears as an active worker for Plefsi Eleftherias on the Ergani system. "Konstantopoulou lied; she is breaking the law and violating labor rights! Can you imagine what would have happened in Greece if I had done that?"

"We will find common ground" with them

Regarding former Prime Ministers Antonis Samaras and Kostas Karamanlis, the Minister of Health avoids commenting on their views, as he says, "Mr. Samaras is more experienced than me in politics; he has the right to state his opinion, and I feel gratitude toward him. Samaras and Karamanlis are former Presidents; they will say whatever they want," he emphasizes, while describing it as "bad" that the two former ND presidents are on the sidelines: "It is bad, but it happens even in the best of families!" When asked if he believes ND will "find common ground with them," he answers affirmatively. "I believe so, yes!"

The Aegean and Velopoulos' antics

The Aegean was not sold out, points out Mr. Georgiadis, who characterized the Mitsotakis-Erdogan meeting as successful: "Greece has an interest in maintaining calm waters in the Aegean. The Prime Minister expressed all the basic positions in front of Erdogan. Even Velopoulos had nothing to say on the substance, and that's why he busied himself with 'mucus' [antics]!"

Regarding Turkey’s long-duration NAVTEX, the Minister of Health argues that it "does not change anything on the ground, but what constitutes an act of sovereignty is the agreement with Chevron for hydrocarbon exploration!" He adds, in fact, that this agreement effectively cancels the illegal Turkish-Libyan memorandum.

Stop it Mitsotakis, you've humiliated them

Adonis Georgiadis refers to Donald Trump’s statements in favor of Greece, casting barbs at those who claimed the Prime Minister does not have good relations with the American president: "All their theories have... hit the scrap heap! Stop it, Mitsotakis, you've humiliated them!" he says mockingly. Regarding the signing of an EEZ with Cyprus, he argues that this too will happen, but it needs time: "Steadily, the signing of the EEZ with Cyprus will come, just as the marine parks did!"

Fidan's statements were unfortunate

The Turkish Defense Minister was not present at the meeting in Ankara either, Adonis Georgiadis points out regarding the absence of Nikos Dendias, while he characterizes Fidan’s statements as unfortunate: "He tried to split the internal front of Greece."

The Prime Minister is sacred, but Parliament is not a church!

Regarding support for the president of GSEE, Mr. Panagopoulos, he repeats that the presumption of innocence applies: "Because I have lived it personally, for me Mr. Panagopoulos is innocent until proven otherwise in court." When asked why the presumption of innocence did not apply in the case of the agrarian unionist Anestidis, who was not received at Maximos Mansion, the Health Minister clarifies that this happened due to his insulting statements:

"He was not received because he was a vulgar insulter, and we cannot debase everything. We must keep something sacred. The institution of the Prime Minister is sacred!" However, regarding what takes place in Parliament, with the constant clashes and mutual insults, he argues that: "Parliament is not a church!"

Cooperation only with PASOK

Regarding PASOK and a possible post-election cooperation with ND if a self-reliant government does not emerge, Adonis Georgiadis emphasizes that he is in favor of self-reliance, but in case the people decide otherwise, "in the event of non-self-reliance, the only party we could cooperate with is PASOK." Regarding the under-formation parties of Tsipras and Karystianou, he sees that the polling data is not encouraging: "Tsipras in the polls has a measly 10%, while he resigned with 17.4%. Will he now consider 10% a success?"

Dimitriadis

Regarding Grigoris Dimitriadis, he mentions: "I have great affection and great esteem for him, but I cannot dictate to the Prime Minister who his associates will be."

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