"What Greece needs is a deal and the implementation of reforms". This is what Stavros Theodorakis, leader of Potami, emphasized in an interview with the Spanish Daily El Pais, while pointing out that if the current government is incapable of implementing the necessary decisions, because it might not have the support of its MPs, then it should carry out elections. Mr. Theodorakis said that if there is no deal “this will definitely be very bad for Greece, as well as Europe in general. I do not want to think about this scenario,” he said, while describing the solution of a referendum as the last resort of the faint-hearted.
Below you may find what Stavros Theodorakis stated in this interview:
- In my opinion, if there is no deal, this will be very bad for my country, as well as for Europe. I do not even want to think about this scenario. In any case, Greece cannot be governed by coalition governments, as this generates an approach like “Let’s do nothing. We are together and this is enough”. What the country really needs is a government determined to implement the necessary reforms. To this effect, Greece needs boldness, skills and a specific plan. This is what the country needs and Potami has proven that it satisfies these requirements.
- In doing politics, we need proposals, with specific goals, not programs. We support the government of Mr Tsipras in the field of justice and in the battle against corruption. But, when it comes to its policy in the field of education, we couldn’t disagree more.
- The referendum is the last resort of the most faint-hearted. Some months ago, Greece had elected a new government. The MPs are the ones that should decide. Politics is not about benefits and glamour. Leaders should make the necessary decisions that their country needs. If the government is afraid to do so, because it might not have the support of its MPs, then it should carry out elections again. We do not wish such a scenario, but this would be the only solution if the government is in a dead-end. In any case, there are people in the government believing in Europe.
- The real problem is that we have lost precious time. Economic problems worsen day by day, while also in the Parliament, as well as the Greek society, the majority wants the conclusion of negotiations with our partners. They also want the country to remain in the Eurozone and the European Union. We want growth and we will not be able to have it, unless we come to a solution with our partners.
- Unfortunately, in Greece we do not have a clear idea about who brings in new or old ideas. The government does not have a concrete plan in communication issues; it remains superficial instead of reaching the essence, while the practice of playing games with the meaning of words has been very harmful so far. No-one is talking about a third bail out program, but an agreement on another basis should be reached. Reaching a 5% primary surplus is impossible. We should ‘ve hoped for a 1.5%. What SYRIZA says right now is what Potami has already said in the past.
- The dilemma today in Greece is not about Right or Left politics. The Right has its own interests. The Left supports its guilds. Potami is the movement of change, which has been established in order to deal with new challenges, aiming at breaking down the “banks, media and politicians” triangle.
May 19th 2015, El Pais
Photo credit: Theodore Manolopoulos
