Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister and government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis spoke to Parapolitika 90.1 radio from the Next Step Media pavilion at the Thessaloniki International Fair, addressing tonight’s prime ministerial announcements, government fatigue, the so-called “woke agenda,” and the presence of former prime ministers Antonis Samaras and Kostas Karamanlis.
Read also: Giorgos Floridis on Samaras’ party at Parapolitika 90.1: “Much ado about nothing — there’s no soul to it”
Marinakis acknowledged that after seven years in government, mistakes have been made that need to be corrected, and that the country has also faced the fallout from a succession of international crises and wars. Nevertheless, he argued that the government’s proposal remains the most likely and credible governing option going forward. “We are not here to salvage what can be salvaged. We are here to persuade the citizens,” he stressed.
Pavlos Marinakis at Parapolitika 90.1: “Today’s speech will go beyond policy measures”
Commenting on the prime minister’s address at the Thessaloniki International Fair, the government spokesperson noted that the speech would not be limited to economic announcements. “Today we will not just hear a speech full of measures. Significant interventions for our fellow citizens will be announced, but at the same time, the key priorities for Greece through 2030 will be outlined,” he said. According to Marinakis, traditional political dividing lines have shifted considerably since the end of illusions and the era of “easy money.”
He argued that Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was the first to recognize these shifts, reaching out to all of Greek society with a clear focus on realism, common sense, and addressing everyday problems. Marinakis emphasized that New Democracy must not attempt to divide citizens along old political labels, but instead tailor its policies to what genuinely concerns every household.
What he said about the so-called “woke agenda”
When asked about the so-called “woke agenda” and the internal backlash within New Democracy following the passage of the same-sex marriage bill, the government spokesperson urged calm and balance. He stated that the government neither holds nor seeks to implement such an agenda, adding that the specific legislative initiative cannot be placed within that framework.
He did, however, acknowledge that a number of New Democracy voters were frustrated by the fact that public debate revolved around that particular bill for three or four months — and by what followed in its aftermath.
“If one looks at the overall support this government has provided to the family institution, I believe the prime minister is being deeply wronged by the ‘woke agenda’ narrative. He is a prime minister who has actively supported the traditional family,” he noted.
His response on Antonis Samaras
Regarding the possibility of former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras founding a new political party, Pavlos Marinakis stressed that it is every former prime minister’s right to do as they see fit. However, he argued that in the areas of defense and foreign policy — which fall under what is broadly described as the “right-wing agenda” — the current government has achieved more than all previous governments combined.
The government spokesperson referenced, among other things, the agreement with Egypt, exploration and drilling activities, energy agreements, maritime parks, and the strengthening of the armed forces with Rafale jets and Belharra frigates. “What we have seen in seven years, we had not seen in the previous 45 years since the restoration of democracy. No one can claim, therefore, that this government pursues a submissive foreign policy,” he said.
“Elections will be decided on effectiveness”
Looking ahead to the next general elections, Marinakis underlined that the government must remain effective, avoid arrogance, and present a program more convincing than those of the other parties. “That is what elections are decided on,” he noted, adding that polls appear likely to be held in April or May.
“We would want Kostas Karamanlis on the front line”
Finally, when asked about Kostas Karamanlis, the government spokesperson described him as one of the party’s most emblematic figures. “Kostas Karamanlis is a former president of New Democracy and a former prime minister of this country. He is one of our most iconic figures, and we would want him on the front line. It would be a shame if we didn’t want one of our former party leaders front and center,” he concluded.
