Greece needs a government of true national unity. Ten objectives must be set, and a team of 20 gifted, determined and progressive people must be appointed, who will say “Let’s do it”. With this statement, in an interview with the newspaper EFSYN, Stavros Theodorakis, the leader of Potami, describes the conditions under which he would support a new and different government in Parliament. Last week, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and the leader of Potami came closer in the effort for the conclusion of a deal with the partners, while rumors surfaced about imminent political developments. Mr. Theodorakis points out: “We are now on the same track. We have agreed to set aside our differences”.
Greece needs a government of true national unity. Ten objectives must be set, and a team of 20 gifted, determined and progressive people must be appointed, who will say “Let’s do it”. With this statement, in an interview with the newspaper EFSYN, Stavros Theodorakis, the leader of Potami, describes the conditions under which he would support a new and different government in Parliament. Last week, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and the leader of Potami came closer in the effort for the conclusion of a deal with the partners, while rumors surfaced about imminent political developments. Mr. Theodorakis points out: “We are now on the same track. We have agreed to set aside our differences”.
Can you tell me what you were discussing for two hours Friday morning with Mr. Juncker and his team? Two whole hours in the most crucial day? For what reason?
In these crucial moments, the role of Mr. Juncker is defining. Let’s not hide anymore. A hard game is being played these past hours. Some seized the opportunity to say “Let’s throw the Greeks out”. Juncker, Hollande and Draghi are on our side. At some point, the Prime Minister will tell you. On the other hand, the Germans are noncommittal, at least until now. Mr. Schaeuble has his own agenda: a Europe without discordances, following the German austerity line.
So you think that, at the end, Mr. Juncker will not follow the "German line"?
President Juncker has his own line. If there is only austerity, we feed the crisis. This is the logic behind the Juncker package. With his team, we discussed how the 35 billion euros can be used to jump start the Greek economy, to trigger growth again. And, as you know, without growth, there can be no social justice.
The final act of the drama brought you closer to Alexis Tsipras. Your statements this week, as well as your attitude in Parliament, reveal that you have now an open line with the Prime Minister.
But this is not something secret. At the meeting of the political leaders, I told him “We set aside our differences, which are many, and I help you as much as I can to conclude a deal with Europe”. This is Potami. First comes the country and then the parties.
The German Bild reported two days ago that you are ready to join the government in the place of Mr. Kammenos.
The fact that it is written in Bild is a sufficient reason not to discuss it. Bild is full of inaccuracies. And this is not the first time it publishes misleading information.
Getting to the point of this article, are you telling us that you have not discussed with Mr. Tsipras the possibility of your joining the government?
We had more important things to do these crucial hours than sharing seats between us. Potami decided to support the final battle of the country to remain in Europe, and this was done without bargaining or asking for anything in return. Besides, as I have told you before, my objective is not Ministerial positions.
However, you continuously talk about national unity. How would this happen, if you did not assume some responsibilities?
What we are doing right now is national unity. Despite our major differences, we have agreed on a common goal and we are serving it jointly. Of course, Greece needs a government of true national unity. Ten objectives must be set, and a team of 20 gifted, determined and progressive people must be appointed, who will say “Let’s do it”. But, this would not be a SYRIZA government with a little help from Potami.
But, the kind of government you are describing would not be an apolitical construct? Can a member of SYRIZA and a member of New Democracy be together in the same government?
I don’t want to turn this conversation into a discussion about specifics, but do you believe that tax-evasion and corruption – just to mention only two of the biggest problems of the country – can be tackled by one political party alone? This has never happened anywhere in the world. The problems of Greece are too heavy for the shoulders of one party alone. It will take major social alliances and national political unity.
You have discussed this with Mr. Tsipras?
I had told him about it the day after the elections on 26 January, but as it became evident from the government he formed, he did not agree with me.
Do you feel defeated by the outcome of the referendum?
Yes, I do. The people believed the easy promises. "Say NO and we will bring you back from Europe whatever you wish". But I would not like to continue this conversation at this time.
Did it bother you that you joined the same side as New Democracy and PASOK?
What do you mean? Golden Dawn also voted NO. Does this mean that it is now on the same side as SYRIZA? As I told you before, let us not have this conversation at this moment. The referendum was a big blunder. A false question at a totally wrong moment.
But the outcome was quite clear.
But, what was the outcome? The overwhelming majority that voted NO in the referendum, says YES to Europe. The Prime Minister himself acknowledged that. This referendum confused and divided the Greek people. And I will disclose to you that there were members of our party, like Mr. Psarianos, who urged not to participate in this theater of the absurd. They proposed to abstain. But then, all of us together, talked about it and concluded that it could be perceived as running away from the fight. So, we decided to enter the fight for the “YES to Europe”.
What do you think of the attitude of the private channels?
Why do you ask me only about the private channels, and not ask me about the state channels? There were moments when you thought that you were watching “the news of the Government directed by the Speaker of the Parliament, Zoi Konstantopoulou". Look, the referendum was a violent act. In five days, the Greek people had to choose sides, because this is how it was presented to them. On one side are the traitors, on the other the patriots. On one side the ones drooling for the euro and on the other the ones yearning for the drachma. Exaggerations, with a scent of civil war. Friendships got lost, friends fought with one another, and what finally prevailed was blind fanaticism. Do you remember what some Ministers used to say? That our allies are “merciless terrorists”. And now, we are begging them to stay by our side. So, let’s not target journalists. The real enemy is the unbridled populism, which imposes everywhere its own rules.
Yes, but can a TV report have the title "the NO will mean the destruction of the Economy"?
You are asking me as a former journalist? No, it cannot. An analyst has the right to say it, but not a reporter. However, can a TV report have the title "Yianis is driving crazy the European women"? For months, these were the reports of the TV channels. Or, do you forget the red first pages of January that were saluting the coming of Alexis? These are the Greek media. From exaggeration to exaggeration.
The departure of Mr. Samaras makes the creation of a European front easier?
This, Mr. Ioannou, is the figment of the imagination of some commentators and the secret desire of our rivals. Potami never joined this conversation. We feel adequate enough to propose our own solution to the Greek society. We are not interested in blurry fronts.
13 July 2015
