Greek Elections 2023: Mitsotakis says goal is a stable, self-reliant government

Once again, Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized that the ballot boxes on June 25 will be empty, seeking to ensure that there is no complacency in the New Democracy camp despite the wide victory in the first elections.

The president of New Democracy, speaking on Ant1’s morning show, emphasized that he tells those who shout at him “you are and will be the prime minister” that he is a candidate for prime minister and that if they want him to be prime minister again they should all vote and not go to the beach.

New Democracy’s first victory brings responsibility

Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized that “the result of the May ballot creates a sense of responsibility”.

“I believe that we will do well in these elections as well, but a greater responsibility is created when more people vote for you than in the previous elections,” noted the president of New Democracy.

He then sent a new message against complacency. “I kept the satisfaction of the big victory for myself and my family. I know well how easy it is to become complacent. The score doesn’t count, the ballot box is empty in June and I tell everyone. I would not allow myself to either ride the rod or escape,” he said.

On the May 21 result

“I believed that we can increase the percentage of 2019 and I had said after that victory that my success will be to increase the percentages in the next elections. We also surpassed the 2019 votes which is difficult for a government after 4 years. I didn’t expect the 20 points difference but I wasn’t looking at what the opposition is doing”, noted Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

“The threshold for me is to have a comfortable parliamentary majority. I have made no secret of my desire for a stable, self-reliant government. I don’t think anyone would want an unstable government with a majority of 1, 2 or 3 MPs”, noted Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

More women in the new cabinet

For the next cabinet, Kyriakos Mitsotakis noted that he will have more women, underlining that for me the crucifixion does not play a role and adding that rotation is part of his rationale.

The story with spirits

The discussion then turned to…drinks on the occasion of Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ statement that he would drink a beer with Dimitris Koutsoubas, but he himself complained to him that he prefers raki.

In fact, he then referred to an experience he had on a campaign tour in 1989 when he followed his father, he was drinking like his father, but by midday… he had collapsed. Since then he does not drink during campaign tours.

“In elections we vote for government”

Kyriakos Mitsotakis noted that in the elections we vote for the government and not for the opposition.

On Turkish elections

Then the president of New Democracy spoke about the Turkish elections. He said he was neither happy nor sad about Erdogan’s victory since he does not want to interfere in another country’s internal affairs.

He pointed out, however, meaningfully that “I know Erdogan” and pointed out again that he is not naive when it comes to Greek-Turkish relations, referring to issues that may arise.

For Mareva Misotakis and his children

Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized that “I discuss things with Mareva because I know she will tell me her opinion”. “Mareva has emotional intelligence,” he emphasized.

The president of New Democracy noted that “my children are not particularly close to politics”, but he did not rule out the possibility that they would become more involved in politics in the future.

He emphasized that he is not going to encourage or discourage them, but he will make it a condition that they have worked first.

“My great satisfaction is that the country is better than it was,” underlined Mr. Mitsotakis.

“It is difficult for my ministers to make fun of me because I know their portfolios well,” emphasized the ND president.

After politics, what?

“I would like to do many things after politics. I could teach,” Kyriakos Mitsotakis said when asked how he thinks of himself after politics.

“Entering politics, I did not imagine that I would become prime minister,” noted Mr. Mitsotakis.

“We will step on the gas in the second four-year term”

For the second four-year term, the president of New Democracy said that “we will step on the gas in the second four-year term” and “we will not slow down”, repeating that the responsibility is now greater after the result in the first polls.

On the trip to Mount Athos

Kyriakos Mitsotakis said that he will go to Mount Athos together with his son, Konstantinos, and noted that he understands those who say that this visit may also have a political dimension, “but the Church should not get involved” with politics, he emphasized.

On Tempi disaster

Kyriakos Mitsotakis described the Tempe tragedy as a “shock” and a “deeply traumatic experience”. “Those responsible must be held accountable. I have confidence in the Judiciary,” he said.

“My obligation is to ensure that something like this will not happen again,” noted Mr. Mitsotakis.

“These people lost their children. There is no greater tragedy. Whatever I say, it will not be soothing”, said Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

The ND president spoke of two levels of responsibility: human errors and systemic error.

On the MeToo movement

“The MeToo movement is a great victory for equality,” said Kyriakos Mitsotakis. “It’s not American, it’s not fashion,” he pointed out. “It’s a big step forward,” he said.

Then the president of New Democracy also spoke about bullying, while pointing out that we must teach children the value of diversity.

Regarding the issue of same-sex marriage, he said it would happen “when society is ready to accept it.”

“For the new generation, these issues have been resolved,” emphasized the president of New Democracy.

On Mykonos and the arbitrary constructions

“We applied the law” said Kyriakos Mitsotakis about Mykonos and the arbitrary constructions. “We will start with the big fish and not the small” to send the right message, said the president of New Democracy.

“The law applies to everyone,” he added.

“Tinos or Crete?”

Kyriakos Mitsotakis did not want to choose between the two destinations, while he revealed that he discovered Tinos through his wife Marevas. “But Crete, it’s Crete, it’s my place,” he noted.

He then said that he has taken two baths so far and wished to take more after the election.

On TV shows

The president of New Democracy said that a non-political show can be more political than a panel where politicians fight over the “kitchen” of politics, but do not get into issues that concern a lot of people, such as those that were opened in today’s debate.

Finally, he pointed out that he aims to repeat the ND message many times nationwide, as he does not believe that because he said something once, it stays in the world.