New Democracy cannot be characterized as a "centrist party," as the Prime Minister claims, as long as it harbours "far-right deadweight" within its ranks, argues the Press Representative of PASOK-KINAL, Kostas Tsoukalas, in a wide-ranging interview granted to the show MAGGA on BNtv. "ND needs new leadership and must shed its far-right deadweight," emphasizes the experienced lawyer and politician, responding to journalist Angie Stathatou, while not hesitating to label Kyriakos Mitsotakis a "blue Katrougalos," asserting that he implemented SYRIZA's laws even more thoroughly than SYRIZA itself. As for PASOK's internal affairs? "It is essential that we speak with a unified voice, without discord," he notes.
Progressive coalition government led by PASOK – We don't have money for lavish events because we are paying off the 500 million debt
Although Mr. Tsoukalas observes that Alexis Tsipras's EL.A.S. "holds positions that resemble those of ND," he nevertheless does not rule out the post-election formation of a progressive coalition government anchored by PASOK. However, he considers a post-election cooperation scenario between PASOK and Samaras non-viable. The Press Representative of PASOK-KINAL does not hesitate to address the party's 500 million euro debt, which, as he tells us, Harilaou Trikoupi is steadily paying off: "There was indeed a distorted financing mechanism, but we restructured the debt and are servicing it regularly. This is precisely why PASOK cannot run expensive political campaigns like ND, nor maintain 'Truth Teams'." Furthermore, he stresses that PASOK's platform receives limited coverage in many media outlets because "they focus on whether Adonis Georgiadis picked a fight rather than on substantive policy issues."
PASOK says "yes" to 13th pension – Proposal to examine requiring Greek tax numbers for funds
Vacations in Greece are no longer affordable for Greeks, emphasizes Kostas Tsoukalas, highlighting that 47% of citizens lack the financial means to take summer holiday breaks: "12 billion in direct government contracts is not spending consolidation," he stresses. As part of providing financial relief to citizens, PASOK proposes the reinstatement of the 13th pension payment, primary residence protection, market regulation with anti-monopoly rules, a Development Bank for small and medium enterprises, as well as oversight of investment fund activities, potentially enforcing new rules such as requiring funds to hold a Greek tax identification number.
The one good thing Mitsotakis accomplished
"PASOK is not promising pie in the sky; it is ready to govern," stresses Kostas Tsoukalas, and he does not hesitate to admit that Kyriakos Mitsotakis accomplished one positive thing during ND's first government term. What is that?
Watch the new episode of the show MAGGA on BNtv here:
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