“It takes a great effort to change the country and we need to see if there will be more people joining this effort,” stated leader of To Potami Stavros Theodorakis, following his meeting with the President of the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) Fofi Gennimata.
“It is necessary to consent on the establishment of a Committee of Dialogue with the society, a committee where neither PASOK, nor To Potami will be holding the majority. Most members of this committee will come from the society. This will be a committee, which, within a reasonable period, will form a framework of ideologies and give us the chance to engage more people in this cause,” stated leader of To Potami Stavros Theodorakis. He then added, “We have already concluded that there must be a time limit on this dialogue and, within two months, this committee is supposed to be beyond our political parties and reach some important conclusions”.
This is the entire statement by Stavros Theodorakis:
“We had a very interesting discussion. As I have already mentioned before, what matters is not the union of two separate mechanisms, in order for them to get saved. What matters is actually cooperating, in order to solve the problems of this country. We have agreed, with Mrs Gennimata, that it is necessary to consent on the establishment of a Committee of Dialogue with the society, a committee where neither PASOK, nor To Potami will be holding the majority. Most members of this committee will come from the society. This will be a committee, which, within a reasonable period, will form a framework of ideologies and give us the chance to engage more people in this cause. Let’s see if there will be actually people joining this major cause, in our attempt to change the country. Let’s see how this will actually be possible, in our effort to change this country”.
The leader of To Potami later answered some questions
Journalist: Are you being under pressure, from foreign forces, let’s say European Socialists, to cooperate with SYRIZA, for example?
Stavros Theodorakis: There is no pressure, at least we are under no pressure, to cooperate with anyone. We have only proceeded with cooperations that we considered to be indispensable for the society. Right now, it is necessary for the society to know that there are forces in the progressive and center spectrum - anyone gives their own definition – liberal and progressive forces, left and reformist, green forces, fighting to establish a framework that will give answers to the major problems of the country”.
Journalist: Did you agree on something specific today, during this meeting?
Stavros Theodorakis: We agreed that this dialogue is not supposed to be endless. Within two months, this committee is supposed to reach specific conclusions, beyond our political parties.
Journalist: Which political parties could be a part of this formation?
Stavros Theodorakis: Let’s not rush. This will be the conclusion. What matters right now is that To Potami and PASOK call the forces of the progressive spectrum to talk about the major needs of the society. This is what matters. We are not here to save any mechanism.
Journalist: Does this mean that a cooperation, in a parliamentarian level, is also likely?
Stavros Theodorakis: We have already cooperated, in the Parliament, with the progressive European forces of the country, i.e. with PASOK and New Democracy. Of course, depending on the evolution of this committee, there will be common steps within the Parliament.
Journalist: Is there any chance that the Union of Centrists will be joining this movement?
Stavros Theodorakis: Progressive citizens from anywhere can join this movement. If you are referring to the central mechanism of this political party, we do not think that it is part of the European reformist forces of this country.
Journalist: You share the same approach with PASOK, as far as SYRIZA and its policy is concerned?
Stavros Theodorakis: It is clear that, right now, SYRIZA does not serve the progressive forces of the country. It implements conservative policies. Therefore, it cannot join our dialogue.
Photo credit: Theodore Manolopoulos
