Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis spent five days, or 120 hours, in the United States. From meetings in Silicon Valley to the United Nations podium in New York, Mitsotakis had the opportunity to discuss investment, energy and Greece’s international role. At the same time, in a very different reality back in Athens, the government team was assessing the fallout from a series of missteps by lawmakers. Their remarks sparked discontent and fierce reactions, even within the ruling New Democracy party.
The blue notes of discord
The controversy began with MP Spyros Koulkoudinas, who cited traffic on Syngrou Avenue in Athens as evidence that people continue to use their cars despite high fuel prices. He added that anyone who cannot afford to spend €10 on gasoline can use public transportation instead. Following the backlash, he argued that his statement had been taken out of context and that he had wanted to compare the burden of transportation fuel costs with the need for support for heating oil.
Former Agriculture minister Kostas Tsiaras followed, saying that when he travels to his electoral district on weekends, he sees the national highway filled with cars, something he said he had not seen in 20 years. He also spoke of “overconsumption everywhere.” Haris Theoharis, Deputy Foreign Minister then took his turn, referring during a television appearance to “householders” and “poor wretches,” before later being forced to clarify his remarks.
Criticism has also come from within New Democracy itself, with MP Giorgos Vlachos calling for tax relief for borrowers who have consistently made payments on their primary residence loans. Taking aim at the party, he said New Democracy needs to “find its footing in society again” and reconnect with broader sections of society by taking steps for people “who work hard every day.”
The Government’s defense and… rephrasings
Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis was clear during Monday’s briefing of political reporters. Responding to a question from TO VIMA, he cited statements by the prime minister that “the government is for all Greeks” and that “the policies it implements are aimed at supporting and strengthening citizens, with an emphasis on the middle class and the economically vulnerable. New Democracy is a major popular political party and not a party of populists, as is the case with other parties. Ill-judged statements or wording by party officials were retracted, and the most important thing is to engage with society with honesty, accountability and arguments, while pushing back against the populism and alarmism of the opposition.”
However, he distinguished between the remarks made by the members of Parliament. “As far as Mr. Koulkoudinas’ remarks are concerned, a few seconds were taken out of an interview, where his position was anything but lacking in empathy; the same happened with statements by Mr. Tsiaras. Mr. Theoharis recognized that his wording was wrong, rephrased it and acknowledged it. After all, anyone who speaks publicly can also make an ill-judged statement. We remain focused on the bigger picture, which is the prime minister’s policy and philosophy. We are the government of all Greeks; this is also the DNA of New Democracy, the major popular political party,” he concluded.
Fuel announcements are coming
Upon his return, Kyriakos Mitsotakis is taking on the task of reversing the negative climate of recent days and limiting the communications damage. At the Maximos Mansion, the prime minister’s office, officials know that the announcements made at the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) are not enough on their own, something that was also reflected in polling that has not recorded the dramatic rise the government may have hoped for.
Against this backdrop, announcements on fuel are expected on Wednesday during a Cabinet meeting. In addition, measures concerning heating oil will be announced on October 14. Government officials note that Greece has allocated the third-largest support package for households and businesses among the 27 EU member states. Seeking to counter criticism from opposition parties, they argue that “those who say that no measures have been taken against the cost-of-living crisis are deliberately concealing the permanent income support measures being implemented through the TIF announcements, last year and this year.”
Listing the government’s announcements for employees and pensioners, as well as the rent refund, the officials at the Maximos Mansion conclude by emphasizing that these are permanent measures to support citizens and, as they put it, respond “to the opposition’s attempt to reduce everything to zero, as it seeks to return the country to the era of ‘handouts financed by borrowing,’ which were paid for dearly by future generations.”
